The annual Global Trends report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a comprehensive survey that tracks the numbers of refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people, and other populations of concern to UNHCR. Released ahead of World Refugee Day on 20th June, this report provides an insight into the stark reality of forced displacement across the globe.
Key Facts from the 2019 Displacement Data
By the end of 2019, nearly 80 million people were forcibly displaced, which is almost 1% of the global population. Interestingly, approximately 50% of these displaced individuals were children. The break-up of this distressing number reveals that 26 million were cross-border refugees, 45.7 million were internally displaced, 4.2 million were actively seeking asylum, and 3.6 million were Venezuelans displaced abroad. A majority of these refugees, about 85%, found refuge in developing countries, often neighbouring their own.
Five countries bore the brunt of this displacement: Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Myanmar. Since 2014, Syria has been the top country of origin for refugees.
Reasons Behind the Forced Displacement
The Global Trends report identifies several factors driving forced displacement: persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations and events leading to serious public unrest. Food security is another pressing issue as 80% of displaced people are residing in countries grappling with acute food insecurity and malnutrition, many of them also exposed to climate and other disaster risks.
Decade-long Comparison of Displacement (2010-19)
The last decade saw a rapid increase in displacement, with the number of refugees under the UNHCR mandate doubling from about 10 million in 2010 to 20.4 million by the end of 2019. Nearly 53% of these were newly displaced individuals. The report found that 1 in every 97 people was affected by forced displacement in 2019 as opposed to 1 in every 159 people in 2010 and 1 in every 174 individuals in 2005.
When it comes to age demographics, children below 18 years accounted for nearly 40% of those forcibly displaced between 2010-2019. A worrisome trend is that very few displaced people have been able to return to their homes during this period, a considerable drop compared to the 1990s.
World Refugee Day
Held on 20th June each year, World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It’s a day that appreciates the strength and courage of those who have been forced to flee their home countries to escape conflict or persecution, and acknowledges their resilience in rebuilding their lives.
About the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
The UNHCR, also known as the UN Refugee Agency, was created in 1950 to aid millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes post World War II. With its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, this global organization is committed to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people.
The Way Forward
The UNHCR’s Global Trends report underlines a reality that forced displacement is not merely a transient phenomenon but has become more widespread and prolonged. Given this, there’s an urgent need to adopt a new approach toward all those seeking refuge. Asylum shouldn’t be denied on the basis of race, religion, or geography; rather, it must be seen as a fundamental human right. There’s also an urgent need for more concerted efforts to end long-standing conflicts, which are the root cause of such large-scale suffering.
