Latest news with #GlobalTrendsReport
RTÉ News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
UNHCR's Ireland office to lose several positions in Dublin
UNHCR's Ireland office is to lose several positions in Dublin while other roles are being downgraded. It follows a wider review of positions within the UN refugee agency, which has been impacted by the global cuts being imposed across the sector. Irish based staff have been informed of the impacts affecting the Irish branch but have been reassured that the UNHCR will remain a national office and it will maintain a presence in Ireland. It is understood that the staff cuts will come into effect by September. The US President Donald Trump has scaled back American commitments as the world's single largest aid donor by slashing US aid programs. The United States Agency for International Development has recently been formally wound down after 83% of its programs were cancelled earlier this year. In a statement issued to RTÉ News, a spokesperson said that the UNHCR will continue its work with and on behalf of refugees and asylum seekers in line with its mandate. As part of the agency's broader cost-cutting measures, UNHCR has had to close or downsize offices worldwide and implement a nearly 50% reduction in senior positions at its Geneva headquarters and regional bureaus. In total, approximately 3,500 staff positions will be discontinued. Overall, UNHCR estimates a global reduction in staffing costs of around 30%. Humanitarian agencies have warned that 14 million lives could be lost due to President Trump's aid cuts. UNHCR's recently published Global Trends Report shows that the number of people uprooted by war is at decade high levels. The report calls for continued funding of UNHCR programmes that save lives, reinforce basic infrastructure and services in host countries.
Qatar Tribune
24-06-2025
- General
- Qatar Tribune
QFFD, UNHCR mark World Refugee Day with ‘Walk in Their Shoes' exhibition
QNA Doha In commemoration of World Refugee Day, Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), in collaboration with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, organised an exhibition titled 'Walking in Their Shoes', at Place Vendome Mall in Lusail. This unique public exhibition brings to life the personal journeys of displaced people from around the world, giving the public in Qatar the opportunity to experience their stories firsthand. The exhibition was inaugurated on Monday with an opening ceremony attended by Chairperson of QFFD HE Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al Thani, Director-General of QFFD Fahad bin Hamad Al Sulaiti, and UNHCR Representative to Qatar Ahmed Mohsen, alongside several distinguished guests. Attendees were guided through the exhibition, where they explored photos and narratives capturing the resilience and dignity of displaced individuals and families. Set within a UNHCR family tent, similar to those used in refugee sites, the exhibition showcases a glimpse into the living conditions of those forced to flee their homes. It also highlights the vital support and contributions generously provided by donors such as QFFD, and its impact on the lives of displaced populations globally. Speaking at the event, the UNHCR Representative to Qatar expressed appreciation for the ongoing collaboration, saying: 'No one chooses to be a refugee. People fleeing war and persecution carry with them untold stories of resilience, strength, and hope. This exhibition helps us all reflect on their journeys and be reminded that behind the numbers are people with dreams, defying adversity to build a brighter future for their families. We are grateful to QFFD for standing with displaced people around the world and for joining us in creating this meaningful space where the public can connect with refugees' stories.' Reflecting on the significance of this day, Head of Partnership Planning and Evaluation at QFFD Shaikha Al Shaibi said, 'At the Qatar Fund for Development, we remain unwavering in our commitment to supporting forcibly displaced populations. Through our long-standing partnership with UNHCR, we strive not only to address urgent humanitarian needs but also to invest in long-term resilience and opportunity. This exhibition serves as a powerful call to action, a moment to reaffirm our shared humanity and collective responsibility toward those facing displacement and hardship. It brings to life the individual stories behind the crisis, stories of courage, hope, and perseverance.' World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and shines a light on the rights, needs and dreams of those forced to flee. This year, World Refugee Day is marked amid severe aid funding cuts putting millions of lives at risk. According to UNHCR's latest Global Trends Report, there may be more than 123 million forcibly displaced people by the end of 2025, including 42.7 million refugees and 73.5 million internally displaced people. The 'Walking in Their Shoes' exhibition is open to the public free of charge from June 22 to 27 at Place Vendome Mall, offering an opportunity to learn about the realities faced by forcibly displaced people and the joint UNHCR-QFFD humanitarian efforts to support them.
Arab News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
What is behind the biggest surge in internal displacement ever recorded?
DUBAI: The world is witnessing a historic surge in displacement — not across borders, but within them. Ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Sudan, coupled with the escalating frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters, continue to drive millions from their homes. By the end of 2024, more than 83.4 million people in the world were internally displaced — the highest number yet recorded. According to the 2025 Global Report on Internal Displacement, that figure has nearly doubled in just six years — the equivalent of displacing the entire population of Germany. More broadly, the latest figures from UNHCR's Global Trends Report 2025 show that the total number of forcibly displaced people worldwide — including refugees, asylum seekers, and those internally displaced — had reached 122.1 million by the end of April 2025, up from 120 million the year before. '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,' said Filippo Grandi, the UN high commissioner for refugees, responding to the figures. 'We must redouble our efforts to search for peace and find long-lasting solutions for refugees and others forced to flee their homes.' While Grandi highlighted the urgent need for global solutions, experts tracking internal displacement say the crisis is becoming increasingly entrenched within national borders. 'Internal displacement is where conflict, poverty, and climate collide, hitting the most vulnerable the hardest,' Alexandra Bilak, director of the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, said in a statement. The latest figures reveal internal displacement is no longer just a humanitarian issue, she said, but a complex political and development challenge that continues to be overlooked. 'The data is clear — it's now time to use it to prevent displacement, support recovery, and build resilience,' Bilak said. The global surge in internal displacement was felt across every region in 2024, according to the Global Report on Internal Displacement. An internally displaced person is someone forced to flee their home to escape conflict, persecution, or disaster. But unlike refugees, they remain within their country's borders. Sub-Saharan Africa is the epicenter of this global surge, home to 38.8 million internally displaced persons — making up almost 46 percent of the global total. All 23 countries in the region that experienced conflict-related displacement also suffered from disaster-induced movements, compounding already dire humanitarian needs. In the Middle East and North Africa, conflict-related displacement also surged — particularly in the Gaza Strip, where conflict has raged since October 2023. About 2 million Palestinians were forced from their homes, according to the Global Report on Internal Displacement. The Americas likewise showed a dramatic increase, with 14.5 million people forced to flee within their national boundaries. The US alone accounted for 11 million disaster-related movements — nearly a quarter of the global total for such events. In South Asia, disaster displacement nearly tripled, to 9.2 million, the region's second-highest figure in more than a decade. Conflict was the primary driver of internal displacement in 2024. In Sudan, the situation has deteriorated dramatically since fighting erupted there in April 2023. 'It has become the largest and most devastating displacement, humanitarian and protection crisis in the world today,' Tarik Argaz, a UNHCR representative, told Arab News. As of mid-2024, more than 12.4 million people had been displaced in Sudan — including 8.1 million internally and more than 4 million who had fled to neighboring countries. These figures are based on UNHCR's operational data collected during the continuing crisis. By April 2025, the scale of displacement had grown further. According to UNHCR's Global Trends Report, Sudan now represents the largest forced displacement crisis in the world, with a combined total of 14.3 million displaced people — including refugees and internally displaced people. 'Security remains the major challenge in many regions of Sudan,' Argaz said. 'Access to different areas continues to change due to the dynamic nature of the conflict.' Disasters also triggered a record 45.8 million new internal displacements — the highest since 2008. An overwhelming 99.5 percent of these were caused by climate-related events, particularly storms and floods. Argaz said climate change and displacement are becoming increasingly interconnected. 'Adverse effects of climate change and disasters have contributed to increased forced displacement over past decades,' he said. 'As extreme weather events and environmental conditions worsen with global heating, they are contributing to multiple and overlapping crises, increasing poverty and loss of livelihoods. 'The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre estimates that over 25 million people are forced to move due to disaster-related causes each year. 'The majority of people forcibly displaced by persecution, conflict and violence today live in countries that are highly vulnerable and ill-prepared to adapt to climate change.' • 83.4 million By the end of 2024, more than 83.4 million people in the world were internally displaced — the highest number yet recorded. • 9.2 million In South Asia, disaster displacement nearly tripled, to 9.2 million, the region's second-highest figure in more than a decade. Despite ongoing challenges, UNHCR continues to provide lifesaving support — including shelter, healthcare, psychosocial services, and cash assistance — while also working with regional partners to coordinate a broader response to displacement. In a rare sign of progress, 9.8 million forcibly displaced people returned home in 2024, including 1.6 million refugees — the most in more than two decades — and 8.2 million internally displaced persons — the second highest yet recorded. However, many of these returns occurred under difficult political and security conditions. A large number of Afghans, for example, were forced to return to Afghanistan in 2024, often arriving in dire circumstances. In countries such as Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and South Sudan, new displacements unfolded even as others returned. 'Even amid the devastating cuts, we have seen some rays of hope over the last six months,' said UN High Commissioner Grandi, referring to the recent reduction in aid funding by the US and other major Western donors. 'Nearly 2 million Syrians have been able to return home after over a decade uprooted. The country remains fragile and people need our help to rebuild their lives again.' Internally displaced persons should be afforded the same rights and freedoms as all other citizens and habitual residents of their country, Argaz said. 'Our advocacy efforts have been instrumental in supporting the protection of internally displaced persons on various fronts — from access to documentation, education, healthcare, and livelihoods, to promoting economic inclusion and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, which are often the root cause of displacement,' he said. Internally displaced persons often face a range of protection challenges that vary depending on the context. These typically include limited access to basic necessities such as shelter, food, water, and healthcare — particularly during emergencies and in protracted displacement situations. Many are also vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, including gender-based violence. Long-term solutions such as return or local integration are still out of reach for millions. 'The cost of inaction is rising,' Bilak said. 'And displaced people are paying the price.'
Euronews
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
World Refugee Day: Why the Dance4refugees campaign matters
"Wake up, wake up" is the chorus of the Felix Flavour music that Jeny BSGchoreographed for the Dance4Refugees campaign on Instagram and at the Bozar arts venue in Brussels. It's also the call to action for people everywhere to speak out and show their support for refugees. "Everyone needs to wake up. It's time to talk about it, it's time to help, it's time to react. We can't stay silent, we have to speak out for the oppressed and that's what I'm doing," she told Euronews. Jenybsg (@jenybsg)'in paylaştığı bir gönderi The social media campaign challenges people to post their versions of the choreography on Instagram and donate funds. It is aimed primarily at young people, who Jeny works with at her dance school and when she travels abroad. 'I try to reach out to the younger generation because for me they are the change, they can make a difference in this world. Dance was, for me, a great way to bring attention and change the narrative, to celebrate the strength, potential and resilience of refugees,' Jeny said. The dancer and choreographer was born in Belgium, where her family sought refuge from the decades-long conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A background that left its mark on the artist and led her to activism in collaboration with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). "My family fled violence in the 1990s. My elder brothers spent time in a refugee camp. My mother and my father have experienced displacement, violence, fear, struggle", she recalls. More than 6.9 million people are internally displaced across the DRC, with an additional one million refugees and asylum-seekers in neighbouring countries, according to the UNHCR. This 'legacy' brought additional self-imposed responsibilities for Jeny, who set herself the task of 'not failing' and being a voice for the Congolese diaspora: 'Today I am living proof that the origin of refugees does not define the limits of refugees, but rather their strengths.' Jeny uses her platform to promote marginalized voices, having founded the AfroHouseBelgium, a Brussels-based dance school. She's also been working with the UNHCR since last year to amplify the stories of those forced to flee. "Dance is universal and the refugee cause today is also universal. We know that refugees come from all around the world: Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, DRC and other countries. But they are not only statistics or numbers. Their lives matter, and they are like us", she says. The UN says there are currently 123 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, twice more than a decade ago. Almost 37 million of them are refugees. The organisation warns that recent drastic cuts in humanitarian aid funding are putting their lives at risk. Funding for the agency is now roughly at the same level as a decade ago, said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, at the launch of the annual Global Trends Report on 12 June. '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", Grandi highlighted. The report found that, contrary to widespread perceptions in wealthier regions, 67 per cent of refugees stay in neighbouring countries, with low and middle-income countries hosting 73 per cent of the world's refugees.
Scoop
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Number Of People Uprooted By War At Shocking, Decade-High Levels
GENEVA – The number of people displaced by war, violence and persecution worldwide is untenably high, particularly as humanitarian funding evaporates, with the only bright spot being a pickup in returns, notably to Syria, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, said today. According to UNHCR's annual Global Trends Report released today, there were 122.1 million forcibly displaced people by the end of April 2025, up from 120 million at the same time last year, representing around a decade of year-on-year increases in the number of refugees and others forced to flee their homes. The main drivers of displacement remain large conflicts like Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine and the continued failure to stop the fighting. Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said: '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. We must redouble our efforts to search for peace and find long-lasting solutions for refugees and others forced to flee their homes.' Forcibly displaced people include people displaced within their own country by conflict, which grew sharply by 6.3 million to 73.5 million at the end of 2024, and refugees fleeing their countries (42.7 million people). Sudan is now the world's largest forced displacement situation with 14.3 million refugees and IDPs, replacing Syria (13.5 million), and followed by Afghanistan (10.3 million) and Ukraine (8.8 million). The report found that, contrary to widespread perceptions in wealthier regions, 67 per cent of refugees stay in neighbouring countries, and with low and middle-income countries host 73 per cent of the world's refugees. Indeed, 60 per cent of people forced to flee never leave their own country. While the number of forcibly displaced people has almost doubled in the last decade, funding for UNHCR now stands at roughly the same level as in 2015 amid brutal and ongoing cuts in humanitarian aid. This situation is untenable, leaving refugees and others fleeing danger even more vulnerable. 'Even amid the devastating cuts, we have seen some rays of hope over the last six months,' Grandi added. 'Nearly two million Syrians have been able to return home after over a decade uprooted. The country remains fragile and people need our help to rebuild their lives again.' In total, 9.8 million forcibly displaced people returned home in 2024, including 1.6 million refugees (the most for more than 2 decades) and 8.2 million IDPs (the second highest ever). Many of these returns, however, happened in an adverse political or security climate. For example, a large number of Afghans were forced to return to Afghanistan in 2024, arriving home in desperate conditions. In countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and South Sudan, there were significant new forced displacements at the same time as the return of refugees and IDPs. The report calls for continuing funding of UNHCR programmes that save lives, assist refugees and IDPs returning home and reinforce basic infrastructure and social services in host communities, as an essential investment to regional and global security.
