UNHCR warns of heightened risks to refugees as funding shortfall hits $650m

By Onome Amuge.

The global refugee crisis has escalated due to funding shortfalls, as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates a $650 million shortfall in its funding, which must be filled by the end of 2023.

Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees,,in his opening statement to the executive committee in Geneva,Switzerland, said the situation is “dire” and “getting worse”.

Highlighting the ongoing conflicts that continue to displace more people from their homes,Grandi noted that in the past year, the UNHCR responded to 44 new emergencies in 31 countries, setting a grim record for the number of crises in a single year.

The High Commissioner pointed out that, despite the efforts to respond to the increasing number of displaced people, conflicts around the world continue to displace even more people from their homes. In particular, he cited the example of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where 1.5 million people have been displaced in 2022 alone, including 78,000 people who fled within a single day last week. In Central Sahel, political instability and violence perpetrated by armed groups are forcing more people to flee, including to coastal states.

In Somalia, a combination of a climate emergency and conflict has forced close to 900,000 people to flee their homes. As funding shortfalls have impacted humanitarian efforts, the UNHCR and other UN agencies have had to scale down their responses in various situations.

Grandi said the need for funding is very urgent, as any shortfalls would force the UNHCR to cut spending in crucial areas, including emergency responses. The consequences of such shortfalls would have a significant impact on refugees and displaced people, as well as host countries that have already been providing the most support.

“We have already seen worrying cuts to food assistance in Bangladesh and Jordan, and several African countries, resulting in increased onward movement for some and negative coping mechanisms for others, with funding shortfalls leading, for example, also to reduced protection services — like in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the places where these protection services are most dramatically needed,”he said.

The Global Refugee Forum 2023 will take place from December 13 to 15 in Geneva, and will provide an opportunity for governments and other stakeholders to build on progress made since 2019 in the implementation of commitments and initiatives. Participants will make new commitments, share best practices, and review challenges and opportunities.