Record High: Over 117 Million People Forced Out of Their Homes, Equivalent to London's Population, UNHCR Report Reveals
The latest report from the United Nations high commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) sheds light on the unprecedented levels of forced displacement around the world. In 2023 alone, a staggering 117 million people were forcibly displaced, a number equivalent to the population of London. Conflicts in various regions, such as Ukraine and Sudan, continue to fuel this crisis with no immediate resolution in sight. This marks a sharp rise from the previous year's figures, continuing a troubling trend of year-on-year increases over the past decade. With 15% of the global population now forcibly displaced, the need for urgent action to address the root causes of this humanitarian crisis is more pressing than ever. The report also highlights the disproportionate impact of forced displacement on children, who make up 40% of all affected individuals despite comprising only 30% of the world's population. Furthermore, the report underscores the challenges faced by the poorest countries in hosting a significant portion of forcibly displaced individuals, including Chad and Sudan. The UNHCR's findings also point to countries like the United States and Germany receiving large numbers of new asylum applications, with the latter experiencing political debates around migration that have influenced recent elections. The global refugee population saw a notable increase, driven by conflicts in Gaza and Sudan. These numbers highlight the urgent need for collective action to address the suffering and address the fundamental issues driving forced displacement worldwide.
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