News DeskThe UN refugee agency reported that a record-breaking 120 million individuals have been displaced from their homes due to war, violence, and persecution. This marks the 12th consecutive year of increasing numbers. The global displaced population now matches the population of Japan.
The escalation was fuelled by new conflicts in Sudan and Gaza, which UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi described as a “damning reflection of the world’s condition.” Grandi urged governments to address the root causes of the issue rather than politicising refugees or resorting to temporary solutions like border closures, which he noted would not resolve the crisis. He emphasised the importance of

“countries collaborating for more sustainable resolutions.”

The agency’s annual report revealed that both new and existing crises led to a rise in the global refugee count as of April 2024.
In Sudan, a conflict that began between rival generals in April 2023 displaced over nine million people.
In Gaza, the conflict between Israel and Hamas has forced approximately 75% of the population, around 1.7 million individuals, to flee their homes since October.
Syria continues to face the world’s most significant displacement crisis, with nearly 14 million people displaced due to a conflict that began in 2011. Last year, millions more were displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Myanmar due to ongoing fighting.
The UN refugee agency clarified that not all refugees and migrants seek refuge in wealthy nations; in fact, the majority reside in neighbouring and low to middle-income countries. The global number of displaced individuals has nearly tripled since 2012 and is expected to rise further, according to Mr. Grandi. He expressed concern that without a change in international geopolitics, the figure is likely to continue increasing.
The UN refugee agency criticised the warring factions, stating

“ conflicts that disregarded international law were the driving force behind the displacement of people.“