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Even by the standards of recent years, 2024 was a year of turmoil in which new conflicts erupted, existing crises seethed, and climate-fueled disasters multiplied. As a result, the number of people forced to flee their homes by conflict and persecution reached nearly by the end of June. That number has undoubtedly risen further with the escalation of conflict in the Middle East and the hundreds of thousands who continue to flee violence in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere. While new displacement is on the rise, millions of people are trapped in situations of prolonged exile – unable to safely return home but lacking the possibility to rebuild their lives in the places they have fled to.
The climate crisis is severely impacting Chad, where residents face devastating flooding. "Everything I own is under water," said one displaced individual. Since July 2024, the Chari River has overflowed, affecting all 23 provinces, displacing over 13,000 people. With more than 1 million women and girls in need of sexual and reproductive health services, UNFPA’s response is critical, but due to severe underfunding, many lack access to essential care and protection services amidst the crisis.
Adolat Shabozova's journey from statelessness to obtaining Tajikistan citizenship in 2022 ended decades of uncertainty, bringing new opportunities for her and her children's future.
Aminata Soucko, a survivor of Female Genital Mutilation and abuse, founded Red Aminata to empower and support survivors.
Despite being displaced and injured during the conflict in northern Sri Lanka, Leena has benefited from the project, promoting disability inclusion and gender equality.
Odette and her family, displaced by violence in Masisi territory, find resilience and survival through small businesses at the Lushagala Extension displacement site in North Kivu, DRC.
Win Hla (name changed), a 58-year-old woman from Myanmar, was forced to flee her home with her family due to escalating conflict between the military and armed groups since 2021. Her journey to safety was perilous, and she now lives in a Buddhist monastery, grappling with fear and uncertainty for the future. Like Win, millions have been displaced, facing a deepening humanitarian crisis, with 18.6 million people in need of aid. Limited resources hinder the response, leaving many without adequate support. Despite their struggles, displaced individuals like Win and others hold onto hope and resilience, calling for urgent international action and funding.
As Abdoulaye collapsed under a desert tree, his priorities shifted when he encountered neighbors fleeing from militia attacks. They had found two small children whose mother was killed, leaving them abandoned. Abdoulaye, determined not to leave the terrified children behind, welcomed them and continued his escape with his wife, Hawaye. After the conflict in Sudan escalated in April 2023, Abdoulaye and Hawaye sent three children to safety in Chad. Upon arriving at Arkoum refugee camp, in eastern Chad, they found their children, who embraced their new siblings. Now, Abdoulaye and Hawaye participate in a foster family program by the Jesuit Refugee Service, supported by the UN Refugee Agency (), which includes eight other refugee families in Arkoum and 55 in the Hadjer Hadid region.
As Abdoulaye collapsed under a desert tree, his priorities shifted when he encountered neighbors fleeing from militia attacks. They had found two small children whose mother was killed, leaving them abandoned. Abdoulaye, determined not to leave the terrified children behind, welcomed them and continued his escape with his wife, Hawaye. After the conflict in Sudan escalated in April 2023, Abdoulaye and Hawaye sent three children to safety in Chad. Upon arriving at Arkoum refugee camp, in eastern Chad, they found their children, who embraced their new siblings. Now, Abdoulaye and Hawaye participate in a foster family program by the Jesuit Refugee Service, supported by the UN Refugee Agency (), which includes eight other refugee families in Arkoum and 55 in the Hadjer Hadid region.
Esneda Saavedra is a member of the Yukpa people, who have lived in the SerranÃa del Perijá mountain range on the Colombia-Venezuela border for centuries. In recent decades, conflicts, forced displacement, resource exploitation, and climate change have threatened their way of life. Born in the Sokorpa reserve, Esneda was influenced by her mother, a traditional authority, and felt compelled to lead from a young age. “I was born to defend our land and people,†she affirms. The Yukpa have faced violence and displacement since colonial times, and when Esneda was eight, her father was murdered by armed groups exploiting their ancestral territory. She has faced threats herself for advocating for her community.
Every week, thousands of refugees and migrants cross the Darién jungle in search of safety and a better life. In 2023, over 520,000 people, mainly from Venezuela, Ecuador, Haiti, and parts of Africa and South Asia, made the journey. Despite promises from smugglers and social media of an easy passage, migrants often spend four to ten days navigating difficult terrain, carrying their belongings and small children in intense heat before reaching temporary migratory reception centres. Surveys conducted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees () show that about 70% of those arriving in the Darién rely on social media for information, often downplaying the journey's risks. UNHCR’s ‘ initiative uses social media to share testimonies from refugees and migrants who have survived the crossing with others considering the journey.
Twishime Ntibenda, a barber from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), found a way to balance working at his barbershop in a displaced persons’ camp and attending school after fleeing his home village due to an armed attack. Despite difficult living conditions in displaced camps, young people like Twishime are finding ways to survive and pursue their dreams. His survival method was to focus on a passion he developed as a teenager: haircutting.
was launched at the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) meeting in Geneva, building on the campaign to foster collaboration among stakeholders and address the urgent issue of statelessness worldwide.
Five trailblazing women – a nun, an activist, a social entrepreneur, a volunteer aid worker, and an advocate for ending statelessness – are being honoured today as winners of the from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Established in 1954, the UNHCR Nansen Award honours individuals, groups and organizations who have taken extraordinary action to protect refugees, as well as internally displaced and stateless people. The ceremony will be live-streamed on at 19:30 CEST.