UNHCR Reports Over 123 Million Forcibly Displaced Worldwide

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that the global number of forcibly displaced people due to war, violence, and persecution has reached a record 122.1 million as of April 2025, marking a near doubling over the last decade and an increase of about 2 million from the previous year. Internally displaced individuals have surged by over 9% to 73.5 million, with Sudan now experiencing the world's largest displacement crisis, surpassing Syria, and more than 14 million people uprooted by civil war there. Despite this grim trend, UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi highlighted 'rays of hope,' noting nearly 2 million Syrians have returned home following over a decade of civil war, and overall returns in 2024 reached the highest numbers in decades. The report underscores that nearly two-thirds of refugees remain in neighboring countries rather than seeking wealthier regions like Europe or the United States. Humanitarian efforts face significant challenges due to brutal aid budget cuts from major donors including the United States, risking worsening conditions for displaced populations. Ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Afghanistan continue to drive displacement, while many returnees find their homelands devastated, potentially forcing repeated displacement.