GENEVA – The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, has called on Member States to pursue a decisive shift in how the world responds to displacement, urging a move from long-term humanitarian aid dependency toward sustainable solutions. In his first briefing since taking office, Salih outlined a comprehensive reform agenda for UNHCR aimed at strengthening effectiveness, focusing on international protection, responsibility-sharing, and peacebuilding.
Salih emphasized that while humanitarian assistance is vital, relying on emergency tools as a long-term default leaves entire generations trapped in dependency. Success, he said, should be measured by whether displaced people can rebuild their lives. Upholding the 1951 Refugee Convention remains central, particularly as the world marks its 75th anniversary in 2026.
Currently, nearly 117 million people are forcibly displaced, including 42.5 million refugees. Many live in prolonged limbo, excluded from national systems and reliant on aid, with little prospect of durable solutions. Salih proposed a strategic goal to reduce the number of refugees dependent on humanitarian assistance over the next decade by advancing voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement, linking humanitarian and development efforts, expanding opportunities for self-reliance, and promoting inclusion in national systems.
Early visits by Salih to displacement settings highlighted both opportunities and challenges. In Kenya, he observed the benefits of inclusive policies that allow refugees to work, study, and integrate. In Chad, he witnessed the scale of need among refugees fleeing Sudan’s conflict, while visits to Türkiye and Jordan focused on the conditions required for safe and voluntary return of Syrian refugees. These experiences underscored UNHCR’s dual responsibility to save lives today and prevent long-term entrapment in displacement.
To strengthen the organization, Salih announced an independent management review aimed at improving efficiency, accountability, and financial transparency, aligned with UN80 and humanitarian reset initiatives. This includes clearer prioritization, outcome-based benchmarks, and enhanced real-time budget monitoring. UNHCR is seeking $8.5 billion for its 2026 operations, with $1.574 billion already pledged, and is calling for more predictable and flexible funding while diversifying financing through initiatives like the upcoming Global CEO Council.
Salih concluded by committing to a practical partnership with Member States, stressing that stabilizing the organization, embedding reform in protection, and focusing international efforts on durable solutions will allow UNHCR to deliver more effectively for refugees, host communities, and governments alike.
