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Over 122 million people worldwide are now forcibly displaced, facing heightened risks to their safety and access to aid as conflicts persist across multiple regions, a UN official said Friday in a statement marking World Refugee Day.

Selin Unal, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Türkiye, said the global failure to resolve crises – from Sudan and Ukraine to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gaza – has inflicted severe human suffering and forced millions from their homes.

She said June 20 is a day to honor the courage and resilience of millions forced to flee war, violence, and persecution.

According to the UNHCR’s 2024 Global Trends Report on Displacement, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide reached a record high of 122.1 million by the end of April, including 43 million registered refugees.

Despite widespread displacement, most refugees are not hosted by wealthy countries. UNHCR data shows that 67% of refugees live in neighboring countries, while 73% are in low- and middle-income nations.

Sudan now accounts for the world’s largest displacement crisis, with 14.3 million refugees and internally displaced persons – surpassing Syria’s 13.5 million, including around 4 million in Türkiye. Afghanistan follows with 10.3 million displaced, and Ukraine with 8.8 million.

In 2024, 9.8 million forcibly displaced individuals returned home, including 1.6 million refugees – the highest return figure in two decades – and 8.2 million internally displaced people.

Unal warned that civilians fleeing violence are increasingly being targeted, making it harder to find safe havens and rebuild their lives.

She called on governments, institutions, private companies, and individuals to act in solidarity with the displaced and uphold their rights.

“If we unite in this effort, refugees will be able to use their courage, spirit, and creativity to build a brighter tomorrow,” she said.