The ongoing refugee crisis is the largest since World War II. The number of people displaced from their homes in 2020 reached 82.4 million. The UN Refugee Agency is currently responding to 15 ongoing refugee emergencies around the world. This article presents today’s refugee emergencies, highlights some key facts and statistics related to refugees, and indicates the largest refugee source and host countries.
What is a refugee?
A refugee represents a person that was forced to live his or her home country due to violence, war, or risk of prosecution to seek safety in other states. In the majority of cases, refugees face prosecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group. The 1951 Refugee Convention declared that refugees have the right to international protection, to non-discriminatory treatment, and the right not to be sent back to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened.
Ongoing refugee emergencies
Currently, the UNHCR is responding to 15 ongoing refugee emergencies around the world, of which 10 are country-wide emergences, three have regional connotations, one crisis reflects the prosecution of an ethnic minority group, and one emergency has a global outreach. When necessary, the UNHCR can launch an emergency operation within 72 hours due to its diverse global network of suppliers, specialist agencies, and partners.
Fig.1. Ongoing refugee emergencies
Refugee key facts and statistics
At the end of 2020, around 82.4 million people worldwide had been forcibly displaced from their homes, of which 26.4 million were refugees. The current numbers represent the largest displacement registered in the last few decades. For comparison, the previous significant spike in displacement occurred after World War II when 60 million people were left homeless. Here are some key facts and statistics that describe the ongoing global refugee crisis:
Major refugee source and host countries
About 68% of all refugees and those who were displaced in 2020 originated from just five countries, with Syria and Venezuela being the largest refugee source states (a combined total of 10.7 million people). On the other hand, another five countries hosted 9.4 million refugees and displaced people. Turkey and Colombia are the world’s largest refugee-hosting countries.
Fig. 2. Five major refugee source and hosting countries (2021, million people)
Source: UNHCR – Figures at a Glance – Major hosting countries
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