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The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) says the global forced displacement levels have reached their highest in 18 years.
Over 45.2 million people have been displaced.
According to the UNHCR report released today, the UN’s refugee agency says more people are refugees or internally displaced now than at any time since 1994, with the crisis in Syria emerging as a major new factor to global displacement.
In a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today, UNHCR Head Antonio Guterres said the report covers displacements that occurred during 2012, based on data from governments, nongovernmental organisations (NGO) partners and the UNHCR itself.
Mr. Guterres said the report shows that as of the end of last year, more than 45.2 million people were in situations of displacement compared to the 42.5 million for the end of 2011.
He noted that the report reveals alarming numbers, reflecting individual suffering on a huge scale and also shows the difficulties on the international community in preventing conflicts and promoting timely solutions.
He stated that the report further reveals worrisome trends in several areas, one of which is the rate at which people are being forced into situations of displacement.
Mr. Guterres also outlined as evident the continuing growing gap between the rich and the poor countries regarding the hosting of refugees.
He further noted that children below the age of 18 make up 46 percent of all refugees, with 21, 300 asylum applications submitted in 2012 coming from children who were unaccompanied or were separated from their parents.
He however said the UNHCR was working at helping people who are forcibly displaced by providing aid and immediate practical aide.
The report further showed that Afghanistan has remained the highest producer of refugees with very little change in the rankings of the world’s major refugee hosting countries while Pakistan continues to host the highest number of refugees.
