Russia's invasion of Ukraine combined with worsening emergencies in African countries, Afghanistan and other regions has pushed the number of refugees globally over the 100 million mark, the UNHCR declared.
The number of people fleeing war, conflict and persecution worldwide has never been as high as it is today, the United Nations agency for refugees (UNHCR) said in talks in the German city of Bonn on Wednesday (December 28).
The number of forcibly displaced people around the globe is currently around 103 million, the agency reported, adding that the figure includes refugees, asylum seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and other people in need of protection.
Compared to 2021, this means that there are now 13.6 million more people who are on the run than a year ago – marking an increase of 15%.
The UNHCR said that this is an unimaginable number that no one would have thought possible ten years ago.
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What is behind the surge?
The main reason for the rapid increase in migrants on the run in 2022 is on account of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the UN agency said.
Combined with worsening emergencies in African countries, Afghanistan under Taliban rule and conflicts in other regions, this has pushed the number of refugees worldwide over the 100 million mark.
In the first months of the war in Ukraine, the world saw the "fastest-growing displacement crisis since World War II," a UNHCR spokesman highlighted.
Nearly one-third of Ukraine's population has been displaced so far, with around eight million Ukrainians living as refugees in European countries and more than 6.5 million displaced in their own country.
The UNHCR praised ongoing efforts to support Ukrainians, especially from Ukraine's neighboring countries and Germany. However, the UN body warned that recent discussions about growing lack of capacity for hosting migrants are becoming increasingly heated and acrimonious.
"Especially now, when winter is setting in and more Ukrainians are likely to flee their country as infrastructure is systematically being bombed, support remains urgently needed," the UNHCR spokesman stressed.
with DPA