GENEVA, Switzerland -- Over 2.4 million refugees globally will need resettling in 2024, a 20 percent increase compared to 2023, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Monday.
According to the Projected Global Resettlement Needs Assessment for 2024 report, the Asian region tops the list of estimated needs for 2024, with nearly 730,000 refugees due to require resettlement support. This represents 30 percent of global needs.
Afghan refugees are seen at a border crossing point in Nimroz Province, Afghanistan, June 26, 2023. More than 74,000 Afghan *refugees* have returned to their homeland Afghanistan from neighboring Iran over the past month, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported on Monday. (*Photo* by Azizi/Xinhua) Â
The report said that with the Syrian crisis extending to its 13th year and remaining the largest refugee situation, Syrian refugees continue to present the highest resettlement needs for the eighth consecutive year. Around 754,000 Syrians across the globe require urgent assistance through resettlement. Refugees from Afghanistan are estimated to have the second-highest resettlement needs, followed by those from South Sudan, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to UNHCR, in 2022, out of approximately 116,000 applications, only 58,457 refugees were able to depart for resettlement. UNHCR says that resettlement provides a lifeline of hope and protection to those facing extreme risks, by offering a durable solution while reducing the pressure on host countries. "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 Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Afghan refugees are seen at a border crossing point in Nimroz Province, Afghanistan, June 26, 2023. More than 74,000 Afghan *refugees* have returned to their homeland Afghanistan from neighboring Iran over the past month, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported on Monday. (*Photo* by Azizi/Xinhua) Â
The report said that with the Syrian crisis extending to its 13th year and remaining the largest refugee situation, Syrian refugees continue to present the highest resettlement needs for the eighth consecutive year. Around 754,000 Syrians across the globe require urgent assistance through resettlement. Refugees from Afghanistan are estimated to have the second-highest resettlement needs, followed by those from South Sudan, Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to UNHCR, in 2022, out of approximately 116,000 applications, only 58,457 refugees were able to depart for resettlement. UNHCR says that resettlement provides a lifeline of hope and protection to those facing extreme risks, by offering a durable solution while reducing the pressure on host countries. "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 Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees.