Filippo Grandi reported that for the first time in almost a decade, the number of refugees and others fleeing war, violence and persecution has decreased – from 123 million at the end of 2024 to around 117 million today.
“This may seem surprising. Because the world has not become more secure, quite the contrary,” he said, referring to conflicts in countries such as Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine and Myanmar.
Voluntary return is crucial
This “unexpected decrease” is largely due to returns to their places of origin, mainly Syria and Afghanistan. Most were volunteers, despite the persistent fragility of these localities.
“The voluntary nature of returns is an important distinction that statistics cannot always account for, as the decrease in the total number of forcibly displaced people unfortunately also explains returns that were not voluntary,” Mr. Grandi said.
The return of displaced Syrians “illustrates very clearly the dynamic of volunteerism,” he told the ambassadors.
More than a million refugees have returned since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, while around two million people in Syria have returned to their original communities.
Increased support for Syria
Mr. Grandi stressed the need to support Syria, where his refugee agency teams, UNHCRare on the ground providing cash assistance, shelter rehabilitation, materials and other services to meet immediate needs.
“But there is still a lot to do,” he said. “The international community, and in particular donors from the Gulf region and Europe, as well as international financial institutions, must step up their support for infrastructure construction, restoration of services, security sector reform and economic recovery. »
Forced returns to Afghanistan
The situation of Afghans, particularly those forced to return from Iran and Pakistan, is the other factor behind the decline in displacement figures.
Both countries have welcomed Afghan refugees for decades, who have access to services “virtually at the same level as those of nationals”. Additionally, generations of these refugees, particularly women, were educated in local schools.
“But recent waves of forced returns to Afghanistan are depriving many Afghan refugees of the protection they need, forcing them to return to an environment where human rights violations and discrimination are widespread – particularly against women,” he noted.
Protection and opportunities
Mr. Grandi explained that forced displacement is “a complex phenomenon” in that “people can flee a country at the same time as others return,” which is the case in Sudan and South Sudan.
The answer is also “a complex challenge,” but “the solution does not lie in restrictions, barriers and pushbacks.”
He suggested that “it is more strategic to look at entire travel routes and identify measures that provide protection and opportunities for people on the move and their hosts, as early as possible, before people cross multiple borders.”
Financial deficit
Mr. Grandi will leave UNHCR in the coming weeks “after 10 difficult but fascinating years”.
Before concluding his speech, he explained how the “drastic and sudden funding cuts” this year have impacted the agency and the entire humanitarian sector.
UNHCR faces a deficit of $1.3 billion and expects to receive less than $4 billion this year, out of a budget of $10.6 billion.
He urged donors to help “bridge the gap” and quickly make flexible commitments for 2026.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
