The number of people forcibly displaced by war, conflict, and persecution has surged to more than 122 million globally — the highest ever recorded — according to a new report released Thursday by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The agency cited protracted conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and Myanmar, and a “continued failure to stop the fighting,” as key drivers behind the spike.
Despite the return of many Syrian refugees following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the overall number of displaced persons rose by over 2 million since April 2024.
UNHCR Chief Filippo Grandi warned of a dire global landscape.
-“We are living in a time of intense volatility in international relations, with modern warfare creating a fragile, harrowing landscape marked by acute human suffering,” he said.
Aid Cuts Exacerbate the Crisis
While the number of displaced people has doubled since 2015, funding for refugee aid has fallen back to 2015 levels, UNHCR said, calling the decline “brutal and ongoing.” The report stressed that the current funding gap is untenable, leaving refugees at heightened risk of violence, exploitation, and humanitarian neglect.
Aid groups also blame a lack of political leadership for prolonging conflicts and stretching the capacities of humanitarian responders.
-“There’s a growing vacuum in peace efforts globally,” one UN official said, warning that without diplomatic solutions, displacement numbers will only continue to climb.
Vulnerable Populations at Risk
The funding crisis is particularly impacting women and children, according to UNHCR. Reduced protections leave women more vulnerable to rape and gender-based violence, while children face increased risks of trafficking and forced labor.
Although the UNHCR has not publicly named which donors have slashed contributions, the report noted that former U.S. President Donald Trump significantly cut foreign aid, while the UK and several European countries have shifted priorities from humanitarian support to military and defense spending.
A Call for Global Responsibility
The UNHCR urged nations to renew their commitments to protecting displaced populations and to work toward conflict resolution.
-“With the number of displaced now over 122 million, we are witnessing a stark failure of humanity,” Grandi said. “This is not just a crisis of conflict — it is a crisis of compassion.”
As global instability persists, the agency warned that the gap between rising needs and declining support could prove catastrophic unless addressed with urgency and international cooperation.
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