The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported June 12 that forced displacement has doubled globally in the last decade, while "brutal" funding cuts mean a lack of resources to accommodate the increased number of displaced people dependent on UNHCR for support. The UNHCR said the increase has been "largely driven by protracted conflicts in Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine," with a total of 123.2 million people displaced worldwide at the end of 2024. 

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) made up the largest percentage of the displaced population. In particular, the conflict in Sudan has resulted in the "largest internal displacement crisis ever recorded," with 11.6 million IDPs present in the country.

The report also noted positive trends, including the highest number of refugees being resettled in 40 years, with the return of 9.8 million people to their homes in 2024. The high number of resettled people was attributed to the end of conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan. A total of 9.8 million people returned home in 2024.

Alarmingly, the surge in displacement comes amid what the report called "brutal" funding cuts. The UNHCR warned that an increase in funding is necessary to prevent the endangerment of displaced people, as the majority of refugees are currently hosted in low and middle-income countries. Greater funding is particularly important in the context of increasing global instability, according to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

While international law provides specific protections for refugees through the 1951 Refugee Convention, including a right to non-discrimination and right to access to essential services, IDPs lack specific protection under international law. Although other international standards, including international humanitarian law and human rights law, protect IDPs, the lack of a specific legal framework for protecting IDPs can leave them particularly vulnerable in times of conflict.

From JURIST, June 12. Used with permission.

Note: The new figures represent a significant increase over the previous year's figure of 117 million, itself an historic high. The UNHCR counted 46.3 million officially registered as displaced as of the end of 2014.