The number of people displaced by war, violence and prosecution has skyrocketed to a staggering 114 million, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi revealed in an address to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday.
Grandi attributed the increase to the international community’s failure to address root causes and enforce compliance with international humanitarian law, and he urged the Security Council to focus their efforts on unresolved conflicts and to aid the millions of displaced individuals. He stated, “It is not too late to try and save countless millions more from the scourge of war.”
The UN refugee chief pointed out the lack of political solutions to forced displacement, noting that the situation has worsened since his last briefing in October. He highlighted the situation of Mozambique, which is a country that currently holds the Security Council presidency. Grandi said that he witnessed firsthand how the country is grappling with devastating climate emergencies, violent internal conflicts and widespread forced displacement during his visit to the country in March.
Grandi cited multiple other cases, including the Gaza conflict, which has left civilians trapped and humanitarian aid severely restricted. He called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and the resumption of humanitarian aid, stressing Israel’s obligation to prevent a forced exodus under international law.
Turning to Syria, Grandi pointed out that 5.6 million Syrian refugees remain in neighboring countries over 13 years after the conflict began. He criticized recent proposals to send refugees back to so-called “safe areas” in Syria, reiterating that the conditions for their voluntary and safe return are not currently met. In February, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a report highlighting the human rights violations that Syrians face upon their return to Syria, finding many individuals lack access to food, shelter, and healthcare.
Grandi also brought focus to the dire situation in Myanmar, where renewed conflict has displaced over 1.5 million people. The Rohingya community in Myanmar has been forcibly driven from the country since the 1970s, with over 700,000 individuals being forced to flee to Bangladesh due to mass killings, rape and arson by the military.
Sudan is also facing a dire human rights situation, with underfunded aid operations struggling to cope with widespread displacement and violence. In Ukraine as well, violations of international humanitarian law have left civilians enduring relentless attacks on infrastructure, forcing many to makeshift shelters and increasing displacement within the country.
