The United Nations refugee agency has called for urgent expansion of refugee resettlement programmes, warning that millions of displaced people remain without safe and lasting solutions. UNHCR says the number of refugees needing resettlement continues to exceed the available places offered by countries.
According to UNHCR’s latest assessment, around 2.4 million refugees worldwide are expected to need resettlement in 2027 because they remain at risk in their current locations and cannot safely return to their home countries. While the figure is slightly lower than previous projections, the agency said the decline does not reflect a broad improvement in global displacement conditions.
Refugees from Afghanistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Rohingya communities remain among those facing the greatest protection challenges. Many continue to live with insecurity, limited opportunities and few long-term solutions.
UNHCR highlighted that resettlement opportunities have declined sharply in recent years. Thousands of refugees were resettled through UN-supported programmes in 2025, but the number remains far below global demand and the target needed to provide protection for vulnerable groups.
The agency warned that changes in destination country policies, stricter admission requirements and processing delays have contributed to the growing gap between needs and available resettlement places.
Countries hosting large refugee populations are also facing increasing pressure on public services and resources. Low- and middle-income countries continue to host the majority of the world’s refugees, making international support and shared responsibility essential.
UNHCR stressed that resettlement is not only a humanitarian response but a long-term solution that helps refugees rebuild their lives. Expanding quotas, involving more countries and speeding up processing could allow more vulnerable families to access safety and stability.
As the world marks 75 years since the adoption of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the UN is urging governments to strengthen commitments to refugee protection and create more pathways toward durable solutions.
