World Refugee Day: Record 120 Million Forced to Flee Their Homes

The number of people displaced by war, violence, and persecution has reached a new record. On World Refugee Day, the United Nations reported that over 120 million people are now living as refugees or internally displaced. That is roughly equal to the population of Japan. Conflicts in Sudan, Gaza, and Myanmar drove much of this increase. The UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, says the figure has nearly doubled in the last decade. Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, called the number a “stinging indictment” of the world’s failure to keep the peace. Despite the grim numbers, the report highlights stories of resilience. Many refugees are finding work, starting businesses, and sending their children to school in host countries. The UN stressed that most displaced people want to return home once it is safe. The agency is calling for more funding and for nations to keep their borders open. Without action, experts warn the crisis will only deepen.