TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The number of people displaced by war, violence and persecution worldwide reaches a decade-high level with 122.1 million by the end of April 2025. This number, which the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) calls "untenably high," extends the record of last year's 120 million refugees and displaced population.
According to UNHCR's Global Trend Reports released ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20, the main drivers of displacement remain large conflicts like Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine, and beyond.
The situation comes at a time when humanitarian funding dissipates, UNHCR says, and admits that "the only bright spot" is a pickup in returning refugees and displaced people, notably to Syria.
"We are living in a time of intensevolatility in international relations, with modern warfare creating a fragile, harrowing landscapemarked by acute human suffering," says Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in a release received by Tempo on June 20.
Internally displaced people grew to 73.5 million at the end of 2024, and refugees fleeing theircountries numbered at 42.7 million.
Sudan now faces the world’s largest displacement crisis, with 14.3 million people displaced, surpassing Syria with 13.5 million, Afghanistan with 10.3 million, and Ukraine with 8.8 million, the report says.
“We must redouble our efforts to search for peace and findlong-lasting solutions for refugees and others forced to flee their homes,” Filippo Grandi remarks.
Contrary to widespread assumptions, 67 percent of refugees remain in neighboring countries, and 60 percent never cross international borders. Low- and middle-income countries host 73 percent of the global refugee population.
While the number of forcibly displaced people has almost doubled in the last decade, fundingfor UNHCR now stands at roughly the same level as in 2015 amid brutal and ongoing cuts tohumanitarian aid.
This situation is untenable, leaving refugees and others fleeing danger evenmore vulnerable.“Even amid the devastating cuts, we have seen some rays of hope over the last six months,”Grandi adds.
“Nearly 2 million Syrians have been able to return home after over a decade uprooted. The country remains fragile, and people need our help to rebuild their lives again.”
The report notes that 9.8 million forcibly displaced people returned home in 2024, including 1.6 millionrefugees and 8.2 million internally displaced people.
Many of these returns, however, happened in an adverse political or security climate. Forexample, a large number of Afghans were forced to return to Afghanistan in 2024, arrivinghome in desperate conditions.
In countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo,Myanmar, and South Sudan, there were significant new forced displacements at the sametime as the return of the displaced.
The report calls for continued funding of UNHCR programs to support returns, reinforce basic infrastructure, and social services in host communities.
Editor’s Choice: Government Seeks UNHCR Protection for Indonesian Refugees Abroad
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Limited War Coverage: How Israel Censors Media Amid Iran Attacks
15 jam lalu
Major global media rarely show damage in Israel from Iranian attacks due to strict government censorship. How is the censorship done?
Donald Trump Sets Two-Week Deadline for Decision on Iran Strikes
1 hari lalu
The escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran began last Friday, June 13. Trump mulls U.S. involvement in the conflict.
Former President SBY Warns 'Catastrophic' Consequences If Israel-Iran Tensions Not Squashed
1 hari lalu
Former Indonesian President SBY commented on the current situation in the Middle East, particularly regarding the Israel-Iran conflict.
Pope Leo XIV: World Must Not Become Accustomed to War
1 hari lalu
Pope Leo XIV urges the global community to avoid becoming complacent with warfare and emphasizes the devastating impact of modern weapons.
Bond Investment Opportunities Amid Ongoing Trade War
4 hari lalu
PT Manulife Aset Manajemen Indonesia highlighted opportunities for bond investments amid the continuing trade war.
Government Seeks UNHCR Protection for Indonesian Refugees Abroad
15 hari lalu
Indonesian Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai made the request after meeting with UNHCR representatives at his office.
Environmental Damage Claims More Lives Than Wars, Indonesian Minister Claims
23 hari lalu
Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar stated that the environmental damage has caused natural disasters that directly impact all living beings.
Hundreds of Israeli Military Officers Call for End to Gaza War
23 hari lalu
Hundreds of active and reserve officers of the Israeli army have sent an open letter urging the Israeli government to stop the genocide in Gaza
Ukraine Accuses China of Supplying Russia's Arms Industry
24 hari lalu
Ukraine has accused China of supplying weapons to Russia for the war.
10 Countries Most Affected by Climate Change: Chad, Congo, and More
30 hari lalu
The 10 countries most affected by climate change experience a devastating condition unlike any others, with extreme health problems and more.
