Filippo Grandi reported that for the primary time in almost a decade, the variety of refugees and different individuals fleeing struggle, violence and persecution, has decreased – from 123 million on the finish of 2024 to about 117 million right this moment.
“This may occasionally appear stunning. As a result of the world has not develop into safer – quite the opposite,” he stated, pointing to conflicts in locations akin to Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine and Myanmar.
Voluntary return essential
The “surprising lower” has largely been pushed by returns to locations of origin, primarily Syria and Afghanistan. Most had been voluntary, regardless of continued fragility in these areas.
“The voluntary nature of returns is a vital distinction which statistics can not at all times seize, because the lower within the whole variety of forcibly displaced individuals additionally accounts sadly for returns that weren’t voluntary,” stated Mr. Grandi.
The return of displaced Syrians “illustrates very clearly the dynamic of voluntariness,” he advised ambassadors.
Greater than one million refugees have come again because the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, whereas some two million individuals inside Syria have returned to communities of origin.
Larger assist for Syria
Mr. Grandi confused the necessity to assist Syria, the place groups from his refugee company, UNHCR, are on the bottom offering money help, shelter rehabilitation, documentation and different companies to satisfy instant wants.
“However far more is required,” he stated. “The worldwide group, and particularly donors within the Gulf area and Europe and the worldwide monetary establishments, should step up their assist in constructing infrastructure, restoring companies, reforming the safety sector, restarting the financial system.”
Compelled returns to Afghanistan
The scenario of Afghans, significantly these compelled to return from Iran and Pakistan, has been the opposite driver of decrease displacement figures.
The 2 international locations have hosted Afghan refugees for many years, who obtained entry to companies “virtually on par with nationals.” Moreover, generations of these refugees, particularly girls, had been educated in native faculties.
“However the current waves of compelled returns to Afghanistan deny many Afghan refugees the safety they want, forcing them again to an atmosphere the place human rights violations and discrimination are widespread -– particularly in opposition to girls,” he remarked.
Safety and alternatives
Mr. Grandi defined that compelled displacement is “a advanced phenomenon” as “individuals might flee a rustic similtaneously others return to it,” which is the case in each Sudan and South Sudan.
Response can also be “a fancy problem”, nevertheless “the answer doesn’t lie in restrictions, obstacles and pushbacks”.
He instructed that “it’s extra strategic to have a look at complete displacement routes and establish measures that present safety and alternatives to individuals on the transfer, and their hosts, as early as doable — earlier than individuals cross a number of borders.”
Monetary shortfall
Mr. Grandi is leaving UNHCR within the coming weeks “after 10 difficult but fascinating years.”
Earlier than concluding his remarks, he addressed how the “drastic and sudden reductions in financing” this yr have had an impression on the company and the whole humanitarian sector.
UNHCR faces a $1.3 billion shortfall and expects to obtain lower than $4 billion this yr, out of a price range of $10.6 billion.
He urged donors to assist “bridge the hole” and make early versatile pledges for 2026.
