UNHCR annual report shows 42 million people uprooted worldwide

On World Refugee Day, 20 June, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency releases the annual “Global Trends” report on the situation of the refugees. According to the report, the number of people forcibly uprooted by conflict and persecution worldwide stood at 42 million at the end of last year. The total includes 16 million refugees and asylum seekers and 26 million Internally Displaced People (IDPs).  There is a drop of about 700,000 over the previous year because the new displacements in 2009 such as from Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Somalia are not reflected in the 2008 report.

“Even though there is a drop in total number of uprooted people, the major concerns fall on the more prolonged conflicts and slowdown in repatriation resulting in protracted displacement in years or over ten years.” Giuseppe de Vincentis, Deputy Regional Representative, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said

Of the global total of uprooted people, UNHCR cares for 25 million, including a record 14.4 million IDPs—up from 13.7 million in 2007-- and 10.5 million refugees, a decrease from 11.4 million in 2007. This drop of refugee number is the first time since 2006 because of voluntary repatriation and the downward revision in estimates of refugees and people in “refugee-like situations” from Iraq and Colombia.

The new report says 80 percent of the world’s refugees are in developing nations with the top five are; Pakistan, Syria, Iran, Germany and Jordan.  As for the major countries of origin, include Afghanistan and Iraq.

In Thailand, there are 112,932 registered refugees today; mostly are Karen and Karenni from Myanmar.

“Many Thai people do not even realize there are genuine refugees in this country,” said Giuseppe de Vincentis, Deputy Regional Representative, UNHCR.    “Unlike economic migrants, refugees do not choose to leave their country. They flee because their lives are in danger or their human rights are not being respected. We hope that World Refugee Day on 20 June will help create more understanding towards refugees among Thai people”.

UNHCR works closely with Thai governments and NGOs to ensure refugees are adequately protected and to improve the quality of life for the refugees in areas of  livelihoods and education so that the refugees can stay in the temporary camp safely and securely.

“Over 100,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Thailand live in closed government-run camps for almost their lives; some stay there for ten, twenty years or even were born there.  Protracted confinement in these isolated camps generates frustration and creates an environment prone to violence, rape and domestic and substance abuse.”   Giuseppe de Vincentis, Deputy Regional Representative, UNHCR added.

Resettlement in third countries is another option for refugees in Thailand.  Since 2005, UNHCR has helped over 40,000 refugees resettle in the third countries such as the US, Canada and Australia.  By the end of this year, we expect to help 50,000 refugees resettle in the third countries. According to UNHCR’s Global Trends report, refugees from Myanmar were the highest number in terms of resettlement at 23,200 people.  Among 85 UNHCR offices, Thailand office has helped the highest number of refugees to resettle in 2008.

Refugees in Thailand are ethnic minorities from Myanmar.  The political conflicts in Myanmar have been prolonged.

“As the political situation remains unchanged, the pressure and burden on the countries which the refugees and asylum seekers are living in such as Thailand is increased.  We think it’s high time for international community to give them a hand and support them in helping the refugees” Giuseppe de Vincentis, Deputy Regional Representative, UNHCR concluded.