In 2023, the world witnessed a historic level of forced displacement, with over 120 million people being uprooted worldwide. This figure is equivalent to the population of Japan and represents an increase of nearly 50 percent over five years. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) published its flagship Global Trends Report on Thursday, highlighting the alarming trend of displacement caused by wars and conflicts.
The report revealed that ongoing crises in Sudan, Gaza, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Myanmar are among the main contributors to new displacements. At the end of 2023, millions of Sudanese and Gazans were still uprooted, while Syria remains the world’s largest displacement crisis. The UNHCR emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of forced displacement to alleviate the suffering of those affected.
Filippo Grandi, UN high commissioner for refugees, expressed his concern over this staggering figure and urged international cooperation to prevent further rises in displacement numbers. He noted that conflicts within their own countries have contributed significantly to new displacements, with more than 68 million people fleeing such conflicts in 2023 alone – a nearly 50 percent increase over five years.
The report also highlighted that nearly half of these refugees require international protection, with most being hosted in neighboring low- and middle-income countries. The UNHCR stressed that enhanced cooperation and coordinated efforts are necessary to address conflicts, human rights violations, and climate change to prevent further increases in displacement numbers and avoid costly humanitarian responses.
Overall, the report underscores the urgent need for global action to address forced displacement caused by various factors such as warfare and internal conflicts.