UNHCR Chief Urges More Protection and Funding for Refugees

Aisha, a refugee from Syria, has resided in Jordan since 2013.

He reported that, for the first time in nearly a decade, the number of refugees and other people fleeing war, violence, and persecution has decreased — from 123 million at the end of 2024 to about 117 million today.

“This may seem surprising, because the world has not become safer — on the contrary,” he said, pointing to ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, and Myanmar.

Voluntary Return Crucial

The “unexpected decrease” has largely been driven by returns to places of origin, mainly Syria and Afghanistan. Most were voluntary, despite continued fragility in these locations.

“The voluntary nature of returns is an important distinction that statistics cannot always capture, as the decrease also accounts, unfortunately, for returns that were not voluntary,” Mr Grandi said.

The return of displaced Syrians “illustrates very clearly the dynamic of voluntariness,” he added. More than a million refugees have returned since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, while some two million people inside Syria have returned to communities of origin.

Greater Support for Syria

Mr Grandi stressed the need to support Syria, where UNHCR teams are providing cash assistance, shelter rehabilitation, documentation, and other services to meet immediate needs.

“But much more is needed,” he said. “The international community — especially donors in the Gulf region, Europe, and international financial institutions — must step up support for infrastructure, restoring services, reforming the security sector, and restarting the economy.”

Forced Returns to Afghanistan

The situation of Afghans, particularly those forcibly returned from Iran and Pakistan, has also affected displacement figures. These countries have hosted Afghan refugees for decades, providing services comparable to nationals, and many refugees, especially women, were educated locally.

“But the recent waves of forced returns to Afghanistan deny many refugees the protection they need, forcing them back into an environment where human rights violations and discrimination are widespread — especially against women,” he noted.

Protection and Opportunities

Mr Grandi emphasized that forced displacement is “a complex phenomenon,” as people may flee a country at the same time others return to it, as seen in Sudan and South Sudan.

Response is also “a complex challenge,” yet “the solution does not lie in restrictions, barriers, or pushbacks.” He suggested it is more strategic to look at entire displacement routes and identify measures that provide protection and opportunities to people on the move and their hosts as early as possible — before crossing multiple borders.

Financial Shortfall

Mr Grandi, who is leaving UNHCR in the coming weeks after ten challenging years, highlighted a significant funding gap. UNHCR faces a $1.3 billion shortfall and expects to receive less than $4 billion this year, out of a total budget of $10.6 billion.

He urged donors to help “bridge the gap” and make early, flexible pledges for 2026.