The number of people displaced by war, violence, and persecution has surged to an unprecedented 114 million, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi revealed in an address to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday.
In his address, Grandi attributed the escalation to the international community’s failure to address root causes and to enforce compliance with international humanitarian law. He urged the Security Council to direct their focus toward unresolved conflicts and aid for displaced individuals, stating, “It is not too late to try and save countless millions more from the scourge of war.”
Grandi highlighted the lack of political solutions to forced displacement, noting the situation has deteriorated since his last briefing in October. He emphasized the plight of countries like Mozambique, currently presiding over the Security Council, which is battling severe climate emergencies and internal conflicts, resulting in widespread forced displacement. He highlighted these issues following his visit to Mozambique in March.
The UN Refugee Chief also referenced the Gaza conflict, where civilians are trapped and humanitarian aid is severely restricted. Grandi called for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages, and resumption of humanitarian aid, underscoring Israel’s obligation to prevent a forced exodus under international law.
Turning to Syria, Grandi pointed out that 5.6 million Syrian refugees remain in neighboring countries over 13 years after the conflict began. He criticized recent proposals to return refugees to so-called “safe areas” in Syria, reiterating that current conditions do not meet the criteria for voluntary and safe returns. In February, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a report highlighting human rights violations that repatriated Syrians face, including lack of food, shelter, and healthcare.
Grandi also drew attention to the dire situation in Myanmar, where renewed conflict has displaced over 1.5 million people. Since the 1970s, the Rohingya community in Myanmar has been forcibly driven from the country, with over 700,000 fleeing to Bangladesh due to atrocities committed by the military.
Sudan also faces a dire human rights situation, with underfunded aid operations struggling amidst widespread displacement and violence. In Ukraine as well, violations of international humanitarian law have resulted in relentless attacks on infrastructure, causing significant internal displacement.
Grandi’s urgent call to action underscores the need for a united and sustained international effort to address the root causes of displacement and to ensure compliance with humanitarian law, aiming to reduce future displacement crises.