Worldwide, the number of displaced individuals has hit a record high of 120 million, according to the UN.
In 2023, the UNHCR recorded a staggering 117.3 million displaced individuals. By April's end, this alarming figure is expected to reach 120 million - that's more than the union of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands' population.
This alarming trend has led German Development Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) to dub these new figures as "a dismal milestone." She emphasized the significance of aiding the countries that act as hosts, explaining that they show remarkable dedication and bear significant burdens. "We need to boost our development cooperation to assist host countries and develop opportunities for refugees to thrive onsite and ultimately return to their homelands," Schulze proposed.
The UNHCR's latest report on displacement and displacements informs us that Sudan's conflict has escalated numbers to record levels: Over 7.1 million Sudanese have been displaced within Sudan, while an additional 1.9 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries. This brings the total displaced Sudanese to 10.8 million, including those who left prior to April 2023.
The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Myanmar, based on the UN report, resulted in millions of people being displaced due to the relentless fights within these countries. The UN Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA) also anticipates that by the end of 2023, approximately 1.7 million individuals could have been displaced in Gaza. This corresponds to 75% of the entire Gaza population. The Syrian conflict persists as the driving force behind the most displacements worldwide, with 13.8 million people displaced both inside and outside the country.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi passionately pleaded, "Behind these catastrophic and rapidly rising figures are myriads of human tragedies. The international community must act promptly to tackle the root causes of displacement. It's high time the warring parties adhere to war law principles and international laws. For resurgence and collective efforts to resolve conflicts, human rights infringements, and the climate crisis, displacement figures will continue to skyrocket, further intensifying suffering and exorbitantly priced humanitarian measures."
The UNHCR report reveals that the biggest spike in numbers occurred among those who stayed in their respective countries despite fleeing due to conflicts - a significant rise of 50% in just five years.
The count of people requiring international protection, as per the report, has reached 43.4 million. Most refugees find refuge in low- and middle-income nations, with 75% of all refugees being in these countries that contribute to less than 20% of the world's collective GDP.
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- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has reported that Geneva, as the agency's headquarter, plays a crucial role in addressing the escalating issue of displaced individuals worldwide.
- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that Sudan, currently embroiled in conflict, has over 10.8 million displaced persons, making it one of the countries with the highest number of displaced individuals.
- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed its concern over the situation in Sudan, urging the international community to provide aid and support to the host countries and the displaced Sudanese population.
- In response to the increasing number of displaced individuals, the German government, led by SPD's Svenja Schulze, has pledged to boost development cooperation to assist host countries and create opportunities for refugees to integrate and thrive.
- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has called upon UN members, including the Netherlands, to step up their collective efforts to tackle the root causes of displacement and promote peace and stability.
- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has opened an office in Austria to monitor and respond to the needs of displaced individuals in the region, in line with the UN's commitment to protecting displaced persons worldwide.
- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has welcomed Switzerland's steadfast commitment to hosting refugees and providing them with essential services and support, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in addressing the global displacement crisis.
- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has commended the efforts of various countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, in providing refuge and support to displaced individuals and advocating for durable solutions to the root causes of displacement.
- The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has emphasized that raising awareness and mobilizing resources will be crucial in addressing the ongoing displacement crisis, calling upon governments and humanitarian organizations to work together to build a more peaceful and humane world for all.
