According to the UN refugee agency, a record-breaking 120 million people have been compelled to leave their homes due to war, violence, and persecution. This marks the 12th consecutive year of increased displacement, with the global displaced population now equivalent to that of Japan.
New conflicts in Sudan and Gaza have contributed to this rise, prompting UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi to describe it as a “terrible indictment on the state of the world.” Grandi urged governments to address the root causes of displacement rather than politicizing refugees and implementing short-term solutions like closing borders. Instead, he advocated for countries to collaborate on more sustainable solutions.
The agency’s annual report revealed that a combination of new and existing crises has led to a surge in global refugee numbers as of April 2024. In Sudan, a conflict initiated by rival generals in April 2023 displaced over nine million people. Similarly, the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has forced approximately 75% of the population, totaling 1.7 million individuals, to flee their homes since October.
The Syrian conflict, which commenced in 2011, continues to represent the world’s most significant displacement crisis, with nearly 14 million people displaced. Additionally, millions more have been displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Myanmar due to conflicts in the past year.
The UN refugee agency emphasized that the majority of refugees do not seek shelter in wealthy nations but rather in neighboring and low to middle-income countries. The global number of displaced persons has nearly tripled since 2012 and is projected to rise further, according to Mr. Grandi.
“Unless there is a shift in international geopolitics, unfortunately, I actually see the figure continuing to go up,” he added.
The agency condemned warring parties, saying conflicts that violated international law drove displacement.
