Refugees: A Worldwide Crisis Update
Over 122 million individuals worldwide displaced; a significant number of Syrian returnees amongst them.
In a worrying global trend, approximately 123.2 million individuals are currently displaced, escaping violence and conflict in their home countries, as per the latest World Refugee Report. Despite this figure being only slightly higher than the previous year's 120 million, the increase isn't attributed to widespread peace but rather, a stunning return of nearly two million Syrians who chose to come back home following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 [1][4].
This surge of returnees is seen as a "beacon of hope" by Filippo Grandi, the UNHCR chief, with expectations that another million Syrians will return home via external regions throughout the year [1][5]. However, the causes of displacement still remain daunting: large-scale conflicts such as those in Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and unresolved battles, along with disaster-triggered movements [1][4][5].
Record Returnees in 2024
The year 2024 saw a significant jump in returnees, with 9.8 million individuals going back to their homes – a surge of about 50 percent compared to the previous year [1][4]. Over one million of these returnees were previously displaced abroad, marking the highest number in this category since more than two decades ago [1][4]. The other returnees primarily originated from internal displacement [1].
Despite this homecoming for millions, many find their homeland decimated, with home countries facing substantial aid cancellation, leaving returnees with few options but to relocate once more [1].
Distribution of Refugees
The global refugee population rose by 7 million compared to 2023, amounting to 123.2 million individuals. This number has nearly doubled compared to 2015. Approximately 60% of these displaced people remain internally displaced, while around two-thirds of the external refugees live in neighboring countries of their homeland, as per UNHCR estimates [1][4].
International Cooperation in Action
Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan (SPD) emphasizes the critical role of countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Ethiopia, and Kenya, which shoulder the main burden and achieve remarkable feats while hosting refugees and offering them opportunities. With German development cooperation, these host countries receive support to cater to the needs of refugees and provide them with prospects. This aid is not only a matter of empathy and camaraderie but also integral to preventing displacement, as "nothing reduces flight better than opportunities and prospects locally" [1].
In terms of displaced population groups, the Sudanese now take the lead, with ongoing power struggles between the government army and the RSF militia forcing 14.3 million to flee their homes. The Syrians come second with 13.5 million, followed by Afghans (10.3 million) and Ukrainians (8.8 million) [1][5].
[1] United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). (2025). Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2024. Accessed via https://www.unhcr.org/globaltrends2024.html
[4] Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC). (2024). Global Report on Internal Displacement 2024. Accessed via https://www.internal-displacement.org/global-report/
[5] regional overviews on displacement, reliefweb.int (united nations office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs)
- The surge of returnees in 2024, including those who were previously displaced abroad, is a significant political issue, highlighting the need for international cooperation to address the challenges faced by these individuals as they return to their decimated home countries.
- The distribution of refugees across the globe shows a concerning increase in the number of displaced people, with the Sudanese, Syrians, Afghans, and Ukrainians being among the leading groups, reflecting a general-news crisis that calls for unprecedented unity and assistance from the international community.
