The number of refugees worldwide has exceeded 114 million people. Most of them have fled their homes due to wars, persecutions, violence, and human rights violations, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The main causes of forced displacement in the first half of 2023 were the war in Ukraine, conflicts in Sudan, Congo, and Myanmar, a combination of drought, floods, and insecurity in Somalia, as well as a protracted humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
According to the UN's estimates, in the first six months of 2023, there were 1.6 mn new asylum applications worldwide, the highest number in history. More than half of all refugees have never crossed an international border.
The researchers note that three-quarters of forced migrants have been received by low- and middle-income countries.
"The world's attention is rightly focused on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza right now. But too many conflicts around the world are spreading and worsening, destroying the lives of innocent people and forcing them to leave their homes," said UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi.
He called on countries to strengthen cooperation to end conflicts and allow refugees and displaced persons to "return home and start a new life.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)