The crisis in Gaza should not make us forget the tens of millions of displaced people elsewhere in the world, the UN refugee agency said on Wednesday, needing $400 million by the end of 2023.
“Many humanitarian organizations are facing major funding problems,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi at the opening of the Global Refugee Forum, which runs until December 15 in Geneva.
“UNHCR alone needs $400 million to close the year with minimal resources, a deficit we have not experienced in years, and we all look to 2024 with great concern,” Mr Grandi said.
War in Ukraine, conflict in Sudan, humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan… Crises are increasing around the world and, according to the UNHCR, more than 114 million people were displaced worldwide at the end of September, a record number.
The global refugee population has doubled in the last seven years, reaching 36.4 million people by mid-2023, a new record. This represents an increase of 3% compared to the end of 2022.
“A major human catastrophe is occurring in the Gaza Strip and so far the Security Council has failed to put an end to the violence,” Mr. Grandi stressed.
“We expect more civilian deaths and suffering, as well as further population displacement, threatening the region,” he said.
But he added: “If attention remains, and must remain, focused on Gaza, I must call: do not lose sight of the other pressing humanitarian and refugee crises,” citing the conflicts in Sudan and Ukraine as well on the fate of the Rohingya situation in Syria, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo or the growing insecurity in the Sahel zone and migration flows on the American continent and in the Mediterranean.
At the forum, state officials are expected to announce new commitments to share “burdens and responsibilities” in the face of the refugee crisis, including financial and technical support.
“Let us make this Global Refugee Forum a moment of unity in which we join forces to ensure that those fleeing because their lives, freedom and security are threatened can find protection and that everything is implemented “To resolve their exile as quickly as possible,” asked Mr. Grandi.