High Commissioner of the UN refugee agency, Filippo Grandi, warned on Monday that displacement crises in Lebanon and Syria could worsen and urged effective solutions from stakeholders.

In an opening statement to the Executive Committee at UNHCR’s annual meeting in Geneva, Filippo Grandi shed light onto the situation of about 123 million displaced persons and refugees worldwide. These displacements are primarily driven by conflict, violence, and persecution, with climate change, including floods, droughts, and extreme weather conditions also playing a significant role.

In his speech, Grandi highlighted several elements of the displacement crises: In Sudan over 2 million people have become refugees, and over 11 million have been displaced as a result of  famine, disease, floods, and horrific violations of human rights. Most of these refugees have been taken in by Egypt, Chad, Ethiopia, and other countries in the region. Further reflecting on the past 12 months, the he noted that many individuals in Lebanon, including Syrian refugees, have been displaced as a result of Israeli airstrikes. Similarly, significant displacements have been reported in Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine and Myanmar.

The High Commissioner urged the need for lasting solutions, including ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, to enable displaced individuals to return home. He also emphasized the importance of granting asylum and protection to those in need, while ensuring the safe return of people who no longer require protection to their home countries. Additionally, he proposed increasing support for host nations like Chad and addressing the over-dependence on humanitarian aid, which has struggled to keep pace with the growing number of global crises.

Grandi also commended donors to refugee efforts, including the US, the European Union, Sweden, and Denmark, for their contributions. He further reported on the progress in fighting statelessness, noting that approximately 200,000 individuals are ready to be considered for resettlement. Acknowledging the efforts of resettlement countries such as the US, Australia, and Canada, Grandi also congratulated Turkmenistan for becoming the second nation after Kyrgyzstan to resolve all known cases of statelessness. 

Emphasizing the importance of inclusion and integration of refugees to promote social stability, Grandi concluded: “I beg you all that we continue to work — together and with humility — to seize every opportunity to find solutions for refugees. And as we do, let us please hold on to hope. The hope that peace will finally come to all those countries where it seems so distant, so impossible.”