The global refugee crisis is deepening, with over 2.4 million refugees in need of resettlement in 2024, marking a 20% increase compared to the previous year. Urgent action is required to address the escalating challenges faced by millions of refugees and displaced individuals worldwide, According to the Projected Global Resettlement Needs Assessment for 2024.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi, emphasizes the critical role of resettlement as a lifeline for those most at risk and with specific needs. “We are witnessing a concerning increase in the number of refugees in need of resettlement in 2024. Resettlement remains a critical lifeline for those most at risk and with specific needs,” said Grandi. “I ask all states with the means to step up and provide sustainable and multi-year resettlement commitments to offer safety and protection to those in need and to share the international community’s responsibility for refugees,” he said.
ASIAN REGION
The Asia region has the highest estimated resettlement needs of any region in 2024 at nearly 730,000 refugees (30 per cent of the global needs). This number reflects the significant needs of Afghan refugees (nearly 497,000), hosted mainly in Iran and Pakistan. It also focuses on refugees from Myanmar (240,993 persons), mostly in Bangladesh (129,000) and Thailand (91,000). Refugees in the East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes Region represent 23 per cent of the global needs at almost 560,000 refugees. The main refugee populations are from South Sudan (242,509) and the DRC (109,461), and the needs in Ethiopia and Uganda account for almost 60 per cent of the region’s figure.
MENA
With over 464,000 refugees estimated to be in need of resettlement in the MENA region, more than half have been identified by the Lebanon operation. Syrian refugees account for 86 per cent of the region’s needs as the Syrian crisis extends to its 13th year.
EUROPE
Of the more than 384,000 refugees in need of resettlement in the Europe region, almost all are hosted in Turkey and are of Syrian nationality. In the West and Central Africa region, around 112,300 refugees are estimated to be in need of resettlement in 2024, reflecting high needs of Central Africa, Sudanese and Nigerian refugees
AMERICAS
With over 464,000 refugees estimated to be in need of resettlement in the MENA region, more than half have been identified by the Lebanon operation. Syrian refugees account for 86 per cent of the region’s needs as the Syrian crisis extends to its 13th year. Of the more than 384,000 refugees in need of resettlement in the Europe region, almost all are hosted in Turkey and are of Syrian nationality. In the West and Central Africa region, around 112,300 refugees are estimated to be in need of resettlement in 2024, reflecting high needs of Central Africa, Sudanese and Nigerian refugees.
PRIORITY
In 2024, UNHCR will maintain its five priority situations and advocate for States to provide quotas to address the needs of refugees amongst these situations:
• Afghan
• Situation in Rohingya
• Venezuelan Situation
• Syria
• Central Mediterranean crisis, with over 474,000 refugees estimated to be in need of resettlement across 15 countries of asylum in the East and Horn of Africa Region, West and Central Africa Region and North Africa Region.
