
The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) today issued a stark plea for $10.6 billion, its largest budget ever, to assist a staggering 130.8 million people expected to be forcibly displaced or stateless by the end of 2024.
This unprecedented figure, outlined in UNHCR’s “Global Appeal 2024,” paints a grim picture of a world grappling with intensifying conflicts, persecution, and human rights abuses.
The agency projects that people from 133 countries and territories, across 508 locations, will be uprooted from their homes due to these factors.
“The 2024 budget is designed to enable UNHCR and its partners to provide life-saving protection, assistance, and solutions in both new and existing displacement situations,” the appeal states.
“When people are forced to flee through no fault of their own, they deserve to live in dignity and safety, whether in a new host community or when it’s safe to return home.”
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi underscored the urgency of the situation.
“This system is under immense pressure,” he declared.
“The sheer number of forcibly displaced and stateless individuals is unlike anything we’ve witnessed before.” Grandi emphasized the need for international solidarity and responsibility-sharing.
“No single country can tackle this challenge alone,” he stressed.
“We must work together to ensure that refugees and stateless persons have their fundamental rights protected and their hopes for a brighter future preserved.” The $10.6 billion budget will primarily target:
- Providing emergency relief: This includes shelter, food, water, and healthcare for newly displaced populations.
- Promoting durable solutions: UNHCR aims to support voluntary repatriation when safe, local integration within host communities, and resettlement opportunities in third countries.
- Addressing the root causes of displacement: The agency will work to prevent conflict, strengthen asylum systems, and advocate for human rights.
The appeal comes amidst growing concerns about the global displacement crisis. Conflicts in countries like Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Myanmar have displaced millions, while rising food insecurity, climate disasters, and political instability threaten to push more people into exile.
“We are facing a defining moment for humanity,” Grandi concluded. “By supporting UNHCR’s Global Appeal 2024, we can choose to stand with refugees and stateless persons, offering them not just aid, but hope for a future where they can rebuild their lives in dignity and peace.”