UN Refugee Agency Reports Record 117.3 Million People Forcibly Displaced by End of Last Year

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) announced on Thursday that the number of people forcibly displaced worldwide reached a record 117.3 million by the end of last year. This alarming figure, which includes refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons, is expected to rise further without significant global political changes, according to Filippo Grandi, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

“These are refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people, people being forced away by conflict, by persecution, by different and increasingly complex forms of violence,” Grandi stated. He emphasized that conflict remains a profound driver of displacement, contributing to the yearly increase in the number of forcibly displaced individuals over the past 12 years.

In its report on global trends in forced displacement, UNHCR highlighted that the number of displaced people has continued to rise in the first four months of 2024. The agency estimates that the total number of displaced individuals likely exceeded 120 million by the end of April. Grandi warned that without a shift in international geopolitics, the figure is expected to continue climbing, driven by the risk of new conflicts.

One of the most significant contributors to the rising displacement figures is the ongoing war in Sudan. Grandi described the situation in Sudan as “one of the most catastrophic ones,” despite it receiving less attention than other crises. More than 9 million people have been internally displaced within Sudan, and an additional 2 million have fled to neighboring countries, including Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan. “People are arriving in the hundreds every day,” Grandi noted, referring to the influx of people seeking safety in Chad.

In Gaza, the situation is equally dire. Israel's bombardment and ground campaign have caused around 1.7 million people—nearly 80% of the Palestinian enclave's population—to become internally displaced, many of them multiple times. Grandi expressed grave concerns about the potential for Gazans to cross into Egypt from the southern border town of Rafah to escape Israel's military offensive. He warned that such a movement would be catastrophic on all levels, including the uncertainty of whether these individuals would ever be able to return to Gaza.

Why It Matters : The record number of forcibly displaced people underscores the urgent need for global political solutions to address the root causes of displacement. Without significant changes in international geopolitics, the number of displaced individuals will continue to rise, exacerbating humanitarian crises worldwide. The situations in Sudan and Gaza highlight the devastating impact of conflict on civilian populations and the critical need for international intervention and support.

Key Takeaways

1. The number of forcibly displaced people worldwide reached a record 117.3 million by the end of last year.
2. Conflict remains a primary driver of displacement, contributing to yearly increases over the past 12 years.
3. The ongoing war in Sudan has displaced over 11 million people, both internally and to neighboring countries.
4. In Gaza, nearly 80% of the population has been internally displaced due to Israel's military actions.
5. Without significant global political changes, the number of displaced individuals is expected to continue rising.