The number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has reached a staggering 123 million amid ongoing conflicts, according to Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Speaking at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, Grandi urgently called for international support as the situation continues to worsen.
Ongoing conflicts in Lebanon, Sudan, and other regions are expected to drive further increases in displacement. Grandi highlighted that in recent weeks, 470,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria due to the "catastrophic" humanitarian situation amidst the Middle East conflict. In Sudan, the situation has also reached a critical point, with over 11 million people displaced in 18 months of conflict, he said, adding that the conditions in Sudan are indescribable, with the collapse of the country's social infrastructure observed in real-time.
The Commissioner expressed particular concern over the growing trend of governments imposing restrictive border control measures. He emphasized that such approaches are not only ineffective but also violate their international legal obligations.
Grandi called for a more comprehensive and effective approach to addressing displacement. He revealed that due to recent financial constraints, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has had to cut 1,000 jobs and freeze critical life-saving activities. He called for joining efforts even in difficult times, stressing the need for continued international solidarity with displaced persons and stateless people worldwide.