In his final address to the UN General Assembly, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi called for stronger protection and increased funding for displaced populations worldwide.
Grandi highlighted that, for the first time in nearly a decade, the global number of refugees and 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,” he said, pointing to ongoing conflicts in Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine, and Myanmar.
Voluntary Returns and Fragile Stability
The decline has largely been driven by returns to countries of origin, primarily Syria and Afghanistan, most of which were voluntary despite persistent instability.
“The voluntary nature of returns is a key distinction,” Grandi explained. “Statistics do not always capture the difference between voluntary and forced returns.” He noted that over one million refugees have returned to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, alongside two million internally displaced people resettling in their communities.
Supporting Syria and Afghanistan
Grandi emphasized the need for continued international support in Syria, where UNHCR teams are providing cash assistance, shelter rehabilitation, documentation, and other essential services. He urged donors, particularly from the Gulf, Europe, and international financial institutions, to invest in infrastructure, public services, security sector reform, and economic recovery.
In Afghanistan, forced returns from Iran and Pakistan have undermined protection efforts, particularly for women. Grandi warned that these refugees face widespread human rights violations and discrimination upon return.
Protecting Refugees Along the Journey
“Displacement is a complex phenomenon,” Grandi said, noting that people may leave a country while others are returning to it, as seen in Sudan and South Sudan. He stressed that the solution lies not in restrictions or pushbacks but in early interventions that provide protection and opportunities to displaced people and host communities along migration routes.
Urgent Funding Gaps
Addressing the financial crisis facing UNHCR, Grandi said the agency is confronting a $1.3 billion shortfall, with expected contributions of less than $4 billion this year against a $10.6 billion budget. He urged donors to bridge the gap and make early, flexible pledges for 2026.
Grandi, who will leave UNHCR after a decade in the role, called for global solidarity to ensure refugees receive protection, services, and opportunities despite ongoing conflicts and crises.
