New Report: World's Refugee Crisis Worsens as 44,000 Flee Homes Daily

A new report has revealed a drastic spike in the number of people in the world forced to flee their homes. According to UNHCR figures released this afternoon, globally the number of forcibly displaced people has risen almost three million to 68.5 million in the past year. 

Most of the burden from this global humanitarian crisis is being shouldered by poorer countries, with 85 per cent of displaced people hosted by developing nations. 

Australia's largest humanitarian organisation World Vision has called on the Federal Government to start doing its fair share and increase Australia's meagre annual intake of refugees from 18,000 this year to 44,000 within five years.  

"This isn't a big ask.  We call on the Federal Government to resettle each year in Australia the number of people globally who are forced to flee from their homes in one day," WVA director of policy and advocacy Susan Anderson said on the eve of World Refugee Day. 

Increased populations of people forced to flee and now living in fragile environments such as refugee camps creates greater vulnerability to hunger, lack of clean water and inadequate shelter. 

• 68.5 million people displaced 

• This population swelled by a net 2.9 million last year, raising the cumulative total to 68.5 million at the year’s end 

• The world’s refugee population stood at 25.4 million people at the end of 2017, having increased by more than 10 per cent since the previous year 

• South Sudan and Myanmar crises cause new refugee numbers to grow 

• Refugees overwhelmingly originate in less developed nations 

• More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of all refugees worldwide came from just five countries: Syrian Arab Republic (6.3 million), Afghanistan (2.6 million), South Sudan (2.4 million), Myanmar (1.2 million), Somalia (986,400) 

For more information or to arrange an interview with Susan Anderson, contact senior media officer Ruth Lamperd on 0417 765 947 or ruth.lamperd@worldvision.com.au 

PICTURE:  More than 2300 children regularly attend World Vision’s Child Friendly Spaces at Cox's Bazar refugee camps. Children get to express themselves, learn and play with other children in sessions led by trained facilitators.