The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, has called on Member States to shift the global approach to displacement from short-term aid management to durable solutions that reduce long-term dependency. In his first briefing since taking office, Salih emphasized the importance of sustaining humanitarian assistance while ensuring that entire generations of displaced people are not trapped in perpetual reliance on aid. He stressed that success should be measured by whether displaced individuals can rebuild their lives and achieve self-reliance.
Salih highlighted the continued importance of international protection under the 1951 Refugee Convention, marking its 75th anniversary in 2026. Currently, nearly 117 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide, including 42.5 million refugees, many of whom face prolonged displacement with limited access to national systems or opportunities to integrate. Salih emphasized that this long-term dependence on aid should not be accepted as inevitable.
To address protracted displacement, Salih outlined strategic objectives including promoting voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement, linking humanitarian action with development and peace initiatives, expanding opportunities for self-reliance, and strengthening inclusion in national systems. He shared insights from recent visits to displacement settings in Kenya, Chad, Türkiye, and Jordan, observing both successful inclusion-centered policies and the urgent needs in emergency contexts. These visits reinforced UNHCR’s dual responsibility: saving lives today while preventing indefinite displacement in the future.
Salih also announced an independent management review aimed at enhancing UNHCR’s efficiency, accountability, and financial transparency, aligned with the UN80 and humanitarian reset initiatives. The review will focus on clear prioritization, outcome-based benchmarks, and real-time budget monitoring to ensure value for money, particularly in light of fiscal constraints. UNHCR is seeking $8.5 billion for its 2026 operations, with $1.574 billion already secured.
The High Commissioner acknowledged donor support in 2025 but highlighted the challenges posed by increased earmarking of funds, which limits flexibility. He emphasized the need for predictable funding and diversification of financing, including the establishment of a Global CEO Council. Salih concluded with a commitment to practical collaboration with Member States, asserting that stabilizing UNHCR, anchoring reforms in protection, and focusing international efforts on durable solutions will allow the organization to better serve refugees, host communities, and governments alike.
