A Look at the 122 Million Displaced: UNHCR's Update on a Global Crisis
Refugee Agency Quantifies Displacement figures: Over 122 Million Forced from Homes - Syrian Repatriates Among Them - Humanitarian organization UNHCR reports over 122 million individuals displaced worldwide, highlighting a substantial number of returnees from Syria conflict.
Here's the skinny on the situation:
Globally, approximately 122 million individuals have been forced to abandon their homes due to wars and strife, as per the latest World Refugee Report. While the number hasn't seen a significant jump compared to a year ago (up by 1.6%), it now stands at 122 million.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Geneva has reported this increase isn’t a result of peace finally dawning in conflict-ridden countries like Sudan, Myanmar, or Ukraine. Instead, a remarkable turn of events in Syria post early December 2024 has led to almost 2 million Syrians returning to their homeland. This group includes more than half a million people who had taken refuge overseas as well as those displaced within the country's borders.
Filippo Grandi, the head honcho at UNHCR, views this as a silver lining, expressing that another million Syrians may return home this year. But, it's worth noting that the root causes of displacement— conflicts in nations like Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine—still persist, followed by the sheer inability to end hostilities, according to the UNHCR.
A Sharp Increase in Homeland-bound Refugees in 2024
In 2024, nearly double the number of individuals returned home compared to the previous year, amounting to 9.8 million. The figure includes the highest number ever recorded in the category of people returning after fleeing abroad, clocking in at 1.6 million. The remainder of the returnees were internally displaced individuals. In terms of internal displacement, it was the second-highest number on record, with 8.2 million people returning home in 2023.
One complication is that many return to their homelands finding nothing but rubble. Additionally, some home countries may struggle to offer sufficient assistance due to reduced development aid, leaving returnees with few options but to flee again, according to the report.
Where Do Most Refugees End Up?
When comparing the total number of displaced persons in 2024 to 2023, the number has increased by 7 million to reach 123.2 million. Compared to 2015, almost twice as many people have been displaced, encompassing both those seeking refuge within their own countries and those who have crossed borders. Approximately 60% of these individuals are internally displaced, with the rest living in neighboring nations [SP2].
Germany, through development aid, supports countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Ethiopia, and Kenya, which have welcomed refugees warmly and provided them with opportunities. Reem Alabali Radovan, Germany's Development Minister, shared, "These countries work miracles, and we aid them in offering refugees compassionate care and prospects." Their assistance is guided by humanitarian values and solidarity, with Radovan stating that opportunities and prospects locally play a key role in reducing displacement.
The largest group of displaced people are no longer Syrians but Sudanese. The power struggle between the Sudanese government and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led a total of 14.3 million people to abandon their homes. Syrians remain the second-largest displaced group with 13.5 million, followed by Afghans (10.3 million) and Ukrainians (8.8 million).
- UNHCR
- Refugees
- Sudan
- Myanmar
- Ukraine
- Syria
- Geneva
- UN Refugee Agency
- Assad regime
- Chief
- Filippo Grandi
- Conflict
- Estimates
- Development aid
- Reem Alabali Radovan
- SPD
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
- Power struggle
Enrichment Data:
Root Causes Behind Displacement:
- Conflict and Violence: Recent conflicts in nations like Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine have contributed significantly to the increase in refugees[5].
- Persecution and Human Rights Violations: These factors continue to drive people to seek refuge, as individuals typically face severe persecution or human rights violations in their countries of origin[2].
- Climate Shocks and Political Turmoil: Climate-related disasters and political instability have contributed to displacement crises, making the situation worse[3].
- Events Seriously Disturbing Public Order: Situations such as civil unrest or natural disasters may lead to displacement[1][2].
- The Commission has been asked to consider a proposal for a regulation on the collection of statistics regarding individuals killed in terrorist attacks, as conflicts and violence continue to drive people to seek refuge, such as in Sudan, Myanmar, and Ukraine.
- Germany, through support and development aid, is assisting countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Ethiopia, and Kenya, which have welcomed refugees warmly, offering compassionate care and prospects amidst the ongoing global crisis in war-and-conflicts.
- In 2024, almost double the number of individuals returned home compared to the previous year, but many return to nothing but rubble, with some struggling home countries unable to offer sufficient assistance due to reduced development aid, leading to the possibility of more forced migration in crime-and-justice and accidents.
