More and more people are forcibly displaced from home

The number of displaced people have skyrocketed in the last few years, many of whom are displaced long-term. 

42 million to 80 million in 10 years

The number of refugees and internally displaced people (IDP) has skyrocketed over the last few years, reaching 80 million in 2020 compared to 42 million in 2012. [1] The main causes driving people to flee their country are violent conflicts, human rights violations, weather-related disasters and food insecurity.

Refugees and IDPs

Humanitarian law distinguishes between between “refugees”, people who flee their home and cross a border to seek refuge abroad; and “internally displaced people (IDPs)” who are people displaced inside their own country. Among the 80 million displaced mentioned by UNHCR, around 45.7 million are displaced internally in their own country.

Displacement for years

More and more people are becoming displaced for long periods of time. When Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya was established in 1992 it was a small camp. Todya, it has grown into a "small city." It is one of the largest refugee camp in the world with over 180,000 people. The camp consists of people from South Sudan, Uganda, Eritrea, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, Somalia and Congo.

Five main countries

More than two thirds of all refugees come from just five countries - Syrian Arab Republic (6.6 million); Venezuela (3.7 million); Afghanistan (2.7 million); South Sudan (2.3 million); Myanmar (1.0 million). Since mid-2020, a total of 4.5 million Venezuelans have left their country. 138,600 refugees, 808,200 asylum-seekers and 3.6 million Venezuelans are displaced abroad.

39% of refugees are hosted in five countries: Turkey, Colombia, Pakistan, Uganda, Germany.

Displaced persons with disabilities

Among 80 million refugees in the world, around 15% have a disability. Globally, an estimated 12 million people with disabilities have been forcibly displaced as a result of conflict and persecution. In conflict settings, this number is far higher.

Forced displacement disproportionately affects persons with disabilities, who are often at higher risk of violence, exploitation and abuse. They also face barriers to access basic services and are often excluded from education and job.

Humanitarian organisations like Humanity & Inclusion (HI) are working to support displaced vulnerable people, including persons with disabilities, who depend on humanitarian aid to survive.

Find out more: www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/