More Than 120 Million People Displaced Forcibly Due to War and Violence: Most From Gaza, Sudan, and Myanmar

In a sobering reflection of the world's escalating crises, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports a record-breaking 120 million people have been forcibly displaced by the end of April. 

This unprecedented figure, equating to the entire population of Japan, underscores the deepening impact of ongoing conflicts and persistent humanitarian crises across the globe.

The UNHCR's latest annual report, published on June 13, reveals that the number of forcibly displaced individuals has not only reached a historic high but also marked the 12th consecutive annual increase. 

This trend illustrates the growing severity of new conflicts, the worsening of existing situations, and the global community's inability to resolve longstanding crises.

By the end of 2023, the total number of displaced people stood at 117.3 million, an 8% rise from the previous year. 

This increase means that 1 in 69 people, or 1.5% of the world's population, is now forcibly displaced—nearly double the figure from a decade ago. 

The displaced population includes 67.08 million internally displaced persons, 31.64 million refugees under UNHCR's mandate, 5.97 million Palestinian refugees under UNRWA's mandate, 6.86 million asylum seekers, and 5.76 million people in need of international protection.

Several factors have contributed to this dramatic rise in displacement, with persecution, violence, human rights violations, and significant public order disruptions identified as key drivers. 

However, ongoing conflicts remain the primary cause of forced displacement.

The civil war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has been particularly devastating, resulting in over 6 million internal displacements and 1.2 million more fleeing to neighboring countries. 

This conflict is now considered one of the world's largest humanitarian and displacement crises.

In Gaza, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) estimated that between October and December 2023, up to 1.7 million people—over 75% of the population—were displaced due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. 

Many of these individuals have been forced to flee multiple times, exacerbating their plight.

Other regions have also seen significant displacement. 

The Democratic Republic of the Congo experienced an additional 3.8 million displaced people, while Myanmar saw 1.3 million displaced due to violent clashes. 

These figures highlight the widespread and multifaceted nature of forced displacement around the world.

The UNHCR report also notes a 7% increase in the number of refugees and others needing international protection, bringing the total to 43.4 million in 2023. 

The number of refugees has tripled over the past decade, with a third coming from Afghanistan and Syria, each contributing 6.4 million refugees. 

Another 6.1 million refugees are from Venezuela, and 6 million from Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.

Internally displaced people (IDPs) account for 58% of all forcibly displaced individuals, with 68.3 million people displaced within their own countries by the end of 2023. 

Notable figures include 9.1 million IDPs in Sudan, 7.2 million in Syria, and 6.7 million in the DR Congo. The number of IDPs due to conflict or violence increased by 10% in one year.

Contrary to popular belief, the majority of refugees and migrants do not seek refuge in wealthy countries. 

The UNHCR found that 75% of refugees live in low- or middle-income countries, with nearly seven in ten refugees (69%) being hosted in neighboring countries. 

This statistic challenges common misconceptions and underscores the burden placed on countries that are often least equipped to handle such large influxes of displaced people.

The UNHCR's report paints a stark picture of the current state of forced displacement worldwide. 

It calls for urgent and sustained international efforts to address the root causes of these crises, support displaced populations, and work towards durable solutions. 

The record number of 120 million forcibly displaced people is a clarion call for global solidarity and action in the face of unprecedented humanitarian challenges.