Global Displacement Surges: UNHCR Reports Over 122 Million Affected

Geneva, June 12 (AP) – The UN refugee agency reports a significant increase in the number of individuals forcibly displaced due to violence and persecution worldwide, now exceeding 122 million. This marks an increase of approximately 2 million from the previous year and nearly doubles the count over the past decade.

UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi highlights some "rays of hope" over recent months, particularly with nearly 2 million Syrians returning home as Syria embarks on recovery following over a decade of civil war.

The data comes from the refugee agency's Global Trends Report released on Thursday, showing a rise in the number of people displaced by war, violence, and persecution as of April, with figures climbing to 122.1 million from 120 million the prior year.

Notably, the number of internally displaced individuals surged by over 9% to 73.5 million by the end of last year. While these numbers encompass years of conflict, some displaced groups have returned home, even as new displacements occur.

This report emerges amid budget cuts from traditional Western donors, including the United States, complicating humanitarian response efforts.

The UNHCR notes that nearly two-thirds of those crossing borders to flee their countries reside in neighboring nations, countering the belief common in wealthier regions that most aim to reach destinations like Europe or the United States.

Noteworthy is the situation in Sudan, now the country's largest displacement crisis, with over 14 million people affected by civil war, surpassing Syria's displacement that stands at 13.5 million. Furthermore, over 10 million Afghans have faced displacement, along with about 8.8 million people affected in or from Ukraine, as reported by UNHCR.

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