100 million displaced, ‘a record that should never have been set’ — Global Issues

The 100 million figure, which includes people fleeing conflict, violence, human rights abuses and persecution, has been released by the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) in May and describe by Filippo Grandi, head of the agency, is “a record that should never have been set”.

This number is up from about 90 million in 2021. Outbreaks of violence or protracted conflict are major migration factors in many parts of the world, including Ukraine, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Syria and Myanmar.

Thousands of desperate migrants have turned to Europe as their preferred destination, placing their lives in the hands of traffickers and embarking on perilous journeys across the Mediterranean.

All of these journeys often end in tragedy.

Worse conditions for migrants in Yemen

More than seven years have passed since the protracted conflict began in Yemen, between the Saudi-led pro-government coalition and the Houthi rebels, along with their allies. It caused a humanitarian disaster and forced more than 4.3 million people to flee their homes.

In May, the United Nations Migration Agency IOM and the European Union’s Humanitarian Aid wing (ECHO), announced that they are ramping up efforts to meet the needs of more than 325,000 people displaced by conflict, including migrants and their host communities.

Christa Rottensteiner, Head of IOM Mission to the country said: “The situation is also getting worse for Yemeni migrants, especially women, who are living in harsh conditions in Yemen and less take control of their lives.

Despite the dire situation in Yemen, it skeleton a destination and transit point for migrants leaving the countries of the Horn of Africa.

Upon arrival, travelers face perilous journeys, many of which head north, en route to Gulf states in search of work.

They are often forced to journey through local front lines, at risk of serious human rights violations, such as detention, inhumane conditions, exploitation and forced transfer.

Very little prospect of a safe return to Syria

In Syria, the war has claimed the lives of 11 years: nearly five million children born in Syria has never known peaceful country.

More than 80,000 Syrians consider the massive Za’atari camp in Jordan to be home: many of them may have to stay outside their country for the foreseeable future.

“The outlook for a return for the time being does not look good,” he said. Dominik Bartsch says, UNHCR Representative in Jordan’s capital Amman, in July. “We don’t see an environment in Syria conducive to going back.”

Overall, Jordan has about 675,000 registered refugees from Syria, and most of them live in towns and villages among local communities: only 17% live in the two main refugee camps, Za’atari and Azraq .

Rohingya continue to flee Myanmar

More than five years ago, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled their homes in Myanmar, following a campaign of military repression. Nearly a million people live in the vast Cox’s Bazar camp across the border with neighboring Bangladesh.

In March, the United Nations launched its latest response plan, calling for more than $881 million for refugees and neighboring communities (more than half a million Bangladeshis) who also depend heavily on aid.

This year, the Rohingya continue to leave Myanmar, many trying to cross the Andaman Sea, one of the most dangerous waters in the world.

When more than a dozen migrants, including children, were reported dead at sea off the coast of Myanmar in May, Indrika Ratwatte, the United Nations refugee agency’s Asia and Pacific director, said the tragedy underscores the feelings of despair among the Rohingya who remain in the country.

‘Double standards’ in the treatment of Ukrainian refugees

10 months on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24 and is likely to continue into 2023, UN refugee agency The data shows that, in December, more than 7.8 million Ukrainian refugees have been recorded throughout Europe.

Immediately after the conflict began, UN agencies mobilized to assist. UNHCR combination respond to refugees with UN agencies and partners, supporting national authorities.

In neighboring Poland, for example, staff assisted the authorities in registering refugees, providing them with accommodation and support.

Filippo Grandi praised European countries for their willingness to take in Ukrainians, most of whom sought refuge in neighboring countries, but mourned for their country and its citizens.

‘Ripping off’

“Families have been senselessly divided. Tragically, unless the war stops, the same will happen to many more people,” he said.

However, this spirit of generosity is not always justified, when it comes to certain members of minority communities. In March, Mr. Grandi spoke out about the discrimination, racism and violence they face.

Speaking on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racism, Mr. Grandi said that the UN refugee agency had witnessed the “ugly reality, that some Blacks and Browns fled Ukraine – as well as other wars and conflicts in the world – have not been treated the same as Ukrainian refugees.

In July, Mr. Grandi’s concerns were echoed by González Morales, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants. Mr. Morales allegations that there is a double standard in the treatment of refugees in Poland and Belarus, especially when it comes to people of African descent, as well as other ethnic and racial minorities.

In Ethiopia, millions of people are still displaced due to armed conflict in the Tigray region, which began on 3 November 2020 between Ethiopian National Forces, Eritrean Army, Amhara forces and other militias on the one hand. , and forces loyal to the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front on the other side.

At the end of the year, a fragile internationally-brokered truce appeared to be in place with aid returning to besieged northern areas inaccessible for months, along with many people. return home to rebuild their broken lives.

Back in January, the United Nations refugee agency issued clear warning that, due to deteriorating conditions, refugees in the area are struggling to get enough food, medicine and clean water, and are in danger of dying unless the situation improves.

UNHCR spokesman Boris Cheshirkov said: “The desperate situation in these camps is a prime example of the impact of a lack of access and supplies affecting millions of displaced people and other civilians in the area.

Refugees also find themselves under direct attack: in February, for example, thousands of Eritreans were killed forced to escape camp in the Afar region, after armed men barged in, looted and killed residents.

By August, UN agencies had launched an urgent appeal for funding to help the more than 750,000 people seeking refuge in Ethiopia. World food program alert that, unless funding is received, many refugees will have nothing to eat.

Thousands of people died trying to reach Europe by boat

The number of people who have died or gone missing trying to reach Europe by boat has doubled between 2022 and 2021, to more than 3,000. This grim statistic was released by UNHCR in April.

UNHCR spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo said: “Most of the crossings take place in cramped, unseaworthy inflatable boats – many capsize or deflate resulting in death.” tell journalists at a regular press conference in Geneva.

This does not prevent many people from putting themselves at considerable risk when attempting to cross the sea. In just one attempt, in March, at least 70 migrants were reported dead or missing off the coast of Libya, the departure point of many crossings.

In August, when a boat sank off the Greek island of Karpathos in August, there was Dozens of deaths reportedand in September, more than 70 bodies was found after a shipwreck off the coast of Syria.

Hoping for a brighter future?

Amid the tragedy and hardship that so many people face, there has been at least a glimmer of light, reported in December.

UNHCR declare that governments around the world have committed approximately $1.13 billion, a record amount, to provide a relief to those displaced by war, violence and human rights abuses.

“Due to conflict, the climate emergency and other crises, displaced people around the world are faced with unprecedented demands,” said Mr. “Fortunately, UNHCR’s generous donors continue to support them during these difficult days, creating hope for a brighter future.”