Wars displace more 120m people as aid funding falls: UN
The number of people displaced by war and persecution around the world has climbed above 122 million due to a failure to resolve multi-year conflicts such as those in Sudan and Ukraine, the UN refugee agency says, noting that funding to help the refugees has fallen to 2015 levels.
There were over two million more people displaced globally by the end of April 2025 than there were the previous year despite the return of nearly the same number of Syrians after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's rule, according to the report by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.
The report attributed the rise to major conflicts in Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine and a "continued failure to stop the fighting".
"We are living in a time of intense volatility in international relations, with modern warfare creating a fragile, harrowing landscape marked by acute human suffering," Grandi said on Thursday in a statement alongside the report.
The surge in displacement numbers comes as funding to help them has fallen to 2015 levels when the total number of refugees around the world stood at about half current levels, UNHCR said.
It described the cuts in aid as "brutal and ongoing" and said the situation was untenable, leaving refugees and others vulnerable.
Humanitarians complain a lack of political leadership in brokering peace deals is prolonging conflicts and stretching aid groups tasked with addressing their impacts.
The agency, whose largest donor has historically been the US, has previously said the cuts put millions of lives at risk and left women refugees at a greater risk of rape and children at risk of trafficking.
UNHCR has not given details on which donors have reduced their funding. US President Donald Trump has cut most foreign aid while Britain and European neighbours are spending less on aid and more on defence.
The number of people displaced by war and persecution around the world has climbed above 122 million due to a failure to resolve multi-year conflicts such as those in Sudan and Ukraine, the UN refugee agency says, noting that funding to help the refugees has fallen to 2015 levels.
There were over two million more people displaced globally by the end of April 2025 than there were the previous year despite the return of nearly the same number of Syrians after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's rule, according to the report by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.
The report attributed the rise to major conflicts in Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine and a "continued failure to stop the fighting".
"We are living in a time of intense volatility in international relations, with modern warfare creating a fragile, harrowing landscape marked by acute human suffering," Grandi said on Thursday in a statement alongside the report.
The surge in displacement numbers comes as funding to help them has fallen to 2015 levels when the total number of refugees around the world stood at about half current levels, UNHCR said.
It described the cuts in aid as "brutal and ongoing" and said the situation was untenable, leaving refugees and others vulnerable.
Humanitarians complain a lack of political leadership in brokering peace deals is prolonging conflicts and stretching aid groups tasked with addressing their impacts.
The agency, whose largest donor has historically been the US, has previously said the cuts put millions of lives at risk and left women refugees at a greater risk of rape and children at risk of trafficking.
UNHCR has not given details on which donors have reduced their funding. US President Donald Trump has cut most foreign aid while Britain and European neighbours are spending less on aid and more on defence.
The number of people displaced by war and persecution around the world has climbed above 122 million due to a failure to resolve multi-year conflicts such as those in Sudan and Ukraine, the UN refugee agency says, noting that funding to help the refugees has fallen to 2015 levels.
There were over two million more people displaced globally by the end of April 2025 than there were the previous year despite the return of nearly the same number of Syrians after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's rule, according to the report by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.
The report attributed the rise to major conflicts in Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine and a "continued failure to stop the fighting".
"We are living in a time of intense volatility in international relations, with modern warfare creating a fragile, harrowing landscape marked by acute human suffering," Grandi said on Thursday in a statement alongside the report.
The surge in displacement numbers comes as funding to help them has fallen to 2015 levels when the total number of refugees around the world stood at about half current levels, UNHCR said.
It described the cuts in aid as "brutal and ongoing" and said the situation was untenable, leaving refugees and others vulnerable.
Humanitarians complain a lack of political leadership in brokering peace deals is prolonging conflicts and stretching aid groups tasked with addressing their impacts.
The agency, whose largest donor has historically been the US, has previously said the cuts put millions of lives at risk and left women refugees at a greater risk of rape and children at risk of trafficking.
UNHCR has not given details on which donors have reduced their funding. US President Donald Trump has cut most foreign aid while Britain and European neighbours are spending less on aid and more on defence.
The number of people displaced by war and persecution around the world has climbed above 122 million due to a failure to resolve multi-year conflicts such as those in Sudan and Ukraine, the UN refugee agency says, noting that funding to help the refugees has fallen to 2015 levels.
There were over two million more people displaced globally by the end of April 2025 than there were the previous year despite the return of nearly the same number of Syrians after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's rule, according to the report by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.
The report attributed the rise to major conflicts in Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine and a "continued failure to stop the fighting".
"We are living in a time of intense volatility in international relations, with modern warfare creating a fragile, harrowing landscape marked by acute human suffering," Grandi said on Thursday in a statement alongside the report.
The surge in displacement numbers comes as funding to help them has fallen to 2015 levels when the total number of refugees around the world stood at about half current levels, UNHCR said.
It described the cuts in aid as "brutal and ongoing" and said the situation was untenable, leaving refugees and others vulnerable.
Humanitarians complain a lack of political leadership in brokering peace deals is prolonging conflicts and stretching aid groups tasked with addressing their impacts.
The agency, whose largest donor has historically been the US, has previously said the cuts put millions of lives at risk and left women refugees at a greater risk of rape and children at risk of trafficking.
UNHCR has not given details on which donors have reduced their funding. US President Donald Trump has cut most foreign aid while Britain and European neighbours are spending less on aid and more on defence.
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In May, North Korea said the ship was damaged in a failed launch, sparking fury from Kim, who has vowed to build a stronger navy to cope what he calls escalating US-led threats against his country. Kim earlier said the failed launch was caused by criminal negligence. North Korea's state media later said that authorities detained four officials including the vice director of the Workers' Party's munitions industry department over the botched launch. North Korea's extremely secretive nature makes it virtually impossible to independently confirm its announcement on the ship's repair. Outside experts earlier said it remained unclear how severely the 5000-tonne-class destroyer was damaged and questioned North Korea's announcement that it could repair the ship's damage at an early date. The damaged warship was North Korea's second known destroyer and seen as a crucial asset toward Kim's goal of modernising its naval forces. It was in the same class as the country's first destroyer unveiled in April, which experts assessed as the North's largest and most advanced warship to date. Kim lavishly praised that ship, which was launched in the western port of Nampo, saying it advances his goal of expanding the military's operations range and nuclear strike capabilities. North Korea has repaired its damaged second destroyer and launched it into the water in the presence of leader Kim Jong-un. North Korea's Korean Central News Agency said it launched the destroyer - the second it built in 2025 - off the east coast of the country on Thursday. KCNA cited Kim as saying the country's two destroyers would play a big role in improving the North Korean navy's operational capabilities. Kim reiterated previous claims that his naval build-up was a justified response to perceived threats posed by the United States and its allies in Asia, which in recent years have expanded their combined military exercises and updated their deterrence strategies to counter Kim's nuclear ambitions. He said the North would respond to the threats by his rivals with "overwhelming military action" and vowed to build a navy with "long-range operational capabilities". In May, North Korea said the ship was damaged in a failed launch, sparking fury from Kim, who has vowed to build a stronger navy to cope what he calls escalating US-led threats against his country. Kim earlier said the failed launch was caused by criminal negligence. North Korea's state media later said that authorities detained four officials including the vice director of the Workers' Party's munitions industry department over the botched launch. North Korea's extremely secretive nature makes it virtually impossible to independently confirm its announcement on the ship's repair. Outside experts earlier said it remained unclear how severely the 5000-tonne-class destroyer was damaged and questioned North Korea's announcement that it could repair the ship's damage at an early date. The damaged warship was North Korea's second known destroyer and seen as a crucial asset toward Kim's goal of modernising its naval forces. It was in the same class as the country's first destroyer unveiled in April, which experts assessed as the North's largest and most advanced warship to date. Kim lavishly praised that ship, which was launched in the western port of Nampo, saying it advances his goal of expanding the military's operations range and nuclear strike capabilities. North Korea has repaired its damaged second destroyer and launched it into the water in the presence of leader Kim Jong-un. North Korea's Korean Central News Agency said it launched the destroyer - the second it built in 2025 - off the east coast of the country on Thursday. KCNA cited Kim as saying the country's two destroyers would play a big role in improving the North Korean navy's operational capabilities. Kim reiterated previous claims that his naval build-up was a justified response to perceived threats posed by the United States and its allies in Asia, which in recent years have expanded their combined military exercises and updated their deterrence strategies to counter Kim's nuclear ambitions. He said the North would respond to the threats by his rivals with "overwhelming military action" and vowed to build a navy with "long-range operational capabilities". In May, North Korea said the ship was damaged in a failed launch, sparking fury from Kim, who has vowed to build a stronger navy to cope what he calls escalating US-led threats against his country. Kim earlier said the failed launch was caused by criminal negligence. North Korea's state media later said that authorities detained four officials including the vice director of the Workers' Party's munitions industry department over the botched launch. North Korea's extremely secretive nature makes it virtually impossible to independently confirm its announcement on the ship's repair. Outside experts earlier said it remained unclear how severely the 5000-tonne-class destroyer was damaged and questioned North Korea's announcement that it could repair the ship's damage at an early date. The damaged warship was North Korea's second known destroyer and seen as a crucial asset toward Kim's goal of modernising its naval forces. It was in the same class as the country's first destroyer unveiled in April, which experts assessed as the North's largest and most advanced warship to date. Kim lavishly praised that ship, which was launched in the western port of Nampo, saying it advances his goal of expanding the military's operations range and nuclear strike capabilities. North Korea has repaired its damaged second destroyer and launched it into the water in the presence of leader Kim Jong-un. North Korea's Korean Central News Agency said it launched the destroyer - the second it built in 2025 - off the east coast of the country on Thursday. KCNA cited Kim as saying the country's two destroyers would play a big role in improving the North Korean navy's operational capabilities. Kim reiterated previous claims that his naval build-up was a justified response to perceived threats posed by the United States and its allies in Asia, which in recent years have expanded their combined military exercises and updated their deterrence strategies to counter Kim's nuclear ambitions. He said the North would respond to the threats by his rivals with "overwhelming military action" and vowed to build a navy with "long-range operational capabilities". In May, North Korea said the ship was damaged in a failed launch, sparking fury from Kim, who has vowed to build a stronger navy to cope what he calls escalating US-led threats against his country. Kim earlier said the failed launch was caused by criminal negligence. North Korea's state media later said that authorities detained four officials including the vice director of the Workers' Party's munitions industry department over the botched launch. North Korea's extremely secretive nature makes it virtually impossible to independently confirm its announcement on the ship's repair. Outside experts earlier said it remained unclear how severely the 5000-tonne-class destroyer was damaged and questioned North Korea's announcement that it could repair the ship's damage at an early date. The damaged warship was North Korea's second known destroyer and seen as a crucial asset toward Kim's goal of modernising its naval forces. It was in the same class as the country's first destroyer unveiled in April, which experts assessed as the North's largest and most advanced warship to date. Kim lavishly praised that ship, which was launched in the western port of Nampo, saying it advances his goal of expanding the military's operations range and nuclear strike capabilities.
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The government is partnering with Jordan to provide urgent medical care to Palestinians seriously injured in Gaza, while providing $5 million to UNICEF to help feed children. Australia is "alarmed" at the escalating violence between Israel and Iran after attacks on nuclear and military targets in the Iranian capital Tehran. Israel hit dozens of the sites on Friday as tensions soared in the wake of a United Nations agency finding Iran was not complying with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the conflict risked further destabilising a region that is already very volatile. "Australia is alarmed by the escalation between Israel and Iran," she said soon after the strikes were confirmed. "We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that ... would further exacerbate tensions. "We all understand the threat of Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program - it represents a threat to international peace and security and we urge the parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy." The federal government's Smartraveller website was updated on Friday with a "do not travel" warning for Iran. Iran has halted flights at Imam Khomeini International Airport outside of Tehran, the country's main airport, Iranian state TV said. Tensions have been building in the region as US efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran appear to be deadlocked. US intelligence had previously indicated that Israel was making preparations for a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, as part of its ongoing efforts to stop Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. US President Donald Trump on Thursday warned there was a "chance of massive conflict" involving Iran as Washington began pulling out diplomats from the Middle East. Meanwhile, Senator Wong also announced Australia will provide an extra $10 million to help with the distribution of urgent medical and food supplies to Gaza. "The situation for the people of Gaza is catastrophic," she said. "Civilians killed by the thousands, people starving, children going without food and medical supplies, schools, hospitals and homes destroyed. "I know so many Australians are distressed by the suffering, and many Australians are frustrated that we have been unable to move the dial on our own." Australia has contributed more than $110 million in humanitarian assistance for civilians affected by conflict in Gaza and Lebanon since Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel in 2023. The government is partnering with Jordan to provide urgent medical care to Palestinians seriously injured in Gaza, while providing $5 million to UNICEF to help feed children. Australia is "alarmed" at the escalating violence between Israel and Iran after attacks on nuclear and military targets in the Iranian capital Tehran. Israel hit dozens of the sites on Friday as tensions soared in the wake of a United Nations agency finding Iran was not complying with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the conflict risked further destabilising a region that is already very volatile. "Australia is alarmed by the escalation between Israel and Iran," she said soon after the strikes were confirmed. "We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that ... would further exacerbate tensions. "We all understand the threat of Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program - it represents a threat to international peace and security and we urge the parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy." The federal government's Smartraveller website was updated on Friday with a "do not travel" warning for Iran. Iran has halted flights at Imam Khomeini International Airport outside of Tehran, the country's main airport, Iranian state TV said. Tensions have been building in the region as US efforts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran appear to be deadlocked. US intelligence had previously indicated that Israel was making preparations for a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, as part of its ongoing efforts to stop Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. US President Donald Trump on Thursday warned there was a "chance of massive conflict" involving Iran as Washington began pulling out diplomats from the Middle East. Meanwhile, Senator Wong also announced Australia will provide an extra $10 million to help with the distribution of urgent medical and food supplies to Gaza. "The situation for the people of Gaza is catastrophic," she said. "Civilians killed by the thousands, people starving, children going without food and medical supplies, schools, hospitals and homes destroyed. "I know so many Australians are distressed by the suffering, and many Australians are frustrated that we have been unable to move the dial on our own." Australia has contributed more than $110 million in humanitarian assistance for civilians affected by conflict in Gaza and Lebanon since Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel in 2023. The government is partnering with Jordan to provide urgent medical care to Palestinians seriously injured in Gaza, while providing $5 million to UNICEF to help feed children.
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UN votes overwhelmingly to demand Gaza ceasefire
The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza and aid access, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week. The 193-member General Assembly adopted a resolution that also demands the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the return of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The text garnered 149 votes in favour on Thursday, while 19 countries abstained and the US, Israel and 10 others voted against. The resolution "strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians ... of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supply and access." Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, told the General Assembly this was "blood libel". He had urged countries not to take part in what he said was a "farce" that undermines hostage negotiations and fails to condemn Hamas. "It must be acknowledged that by failing to condition a ceasefire on the release of the hostages, you told every terrorist organisation that abducting civilians works," he said. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry weight as a reflection of the global view on the war. Previous demands by the body for an end to the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas have been ignored. Unlike the UN Security Council, no country has a veto in the General Assembly. Libya's UN ambassador Taher El-Sonni told the General Assembly before the vote that for "those pressing the red button today to vote against this resolution (it) will become a blood stain on their fingers". The US last week vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that also demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and unhindered aid access in Gaza, arguing it would undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. The other 14 member states voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where the UN warns famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade in May. The vote came before a UN conference next week that aims to reinvigorate an international push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians - a meeting the US is urging countries not to attend. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza and aid access, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week. The 193-member General Assembly adopted a resolution that also demands the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the return of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The text garnered 149 votes in favour on Thursday, while 19 countries abstained and the US, Israel and 10 others voted against. The resolution "strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians ... of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supply and access." Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, told the General Assembly this was "blood libel". He had urged countries not to take part in what he said was a "farce" that undermines hostage negotiations and fails to condemn Hamas. "It must be acknowledged that by failing to condition a ceasefire on the release of the hostages, you told every terrorist organisation that abducting civilians works," he said. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry weight as a reflection of the global view on the war. Previous demands by the body for an end to the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas have been ignored. Unlike the UN Security Council, no country has a veto in the General Assembly. Libya's UN ambassador Taher El-Sonni told the General Assembly before the vote that for "those pressing the red button today to vote against this resolution (it) will become a blood stain on their fingers". The US last week vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that also demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and unhindered aid access in Gaza, arguing it would undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. The other 14 member states voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where the UN warns famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade in May. The vote came before a UN conference next week that aims to reinvigorate an international push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians - a meeting the US is urging countries not to attend. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza and aid access, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week. The 193-member General Assembly adopted a resolution that also demands the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the return of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The text garnered 149 votes in favour on Thursday, while 19 countries abstained and the US, Israel and 10 others voted against. The resolution "strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians ... of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supply and access." Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, told the General Assembly this was "blood libel". He had urged countries not to take part in what he said was a "farce" that undermines hostage negotiations and fails to condemn Hamas. "It must be acknowledged that by failing to condition a ceasefire on the release of the hostages, you told every terrorist organisation that abducting civilians works," he said. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry weight as a reflection of the global view on the war. Previous demands by the body for an end to the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas have been ignored. Unlike the UN Security Council, no country has a veto in the General Assembly. Libya's UN ambassador Taher El-Sonni told the General Assembly before the vote that for "those pressing the red button today to vote against this resolution (it) will become a blood stain on their fingers". The US last week vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that also demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and unhindered aid access in Gaza, arguing it would undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. The other 14 member states voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where the UN warns famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade in May. The vote came before a UN conference next week that aims to reinvigorate an international push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians - a meeting the US is urging countries not to attend. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza and aid access, after the United States vetoed a similar effort in the Security Council last week. The 193-member General Assembly adopted a resolution that also demands the release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, the return of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The text garnered 149 votes in favour on Thursday, while 19 countries abstained and the US, Israel and 10 others voted against. The resolution "strongly condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access and depriving civilians ... of objects indispensable to their survival, including willfully impeding relief supply and access." Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, told the General Assembly this was "blood libel". He had urged countries not to take part in what he said was a "farce" that undermines hostage negotiations and fails to condemn Hamas. "It must be acknowledged that by failing to condition a ceasefire on the release of the hostages, you told every terrorist organisation that abducting civilians works," he said. General Assembly resolutions are not binding but carry weight as a reflection of the global view on the war. Previous demands by the body for an end to the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas have been ignored. Unlike the UN Security Council, no country has a veto in the General Assembly. Libya's UN ambassador Taher El-Sonni told the General Assembly before the vote that for "those pressing the red button today to vote against this resolution (it) will become a blood stain on their fingers". The US last week vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that also demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" and unhindered aid access in Gaza, arguing it would undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire. The other 14 member states voted in favour of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than two million people, where the UN warns famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade in May. The vote came before a UN conference next week that aims to reinvigorate an international push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians - a meeting the US is urging countries not to attend. The war in Gaza has raged since 2023 after Hamas militants killed 1200 people in Israel in an October 7 attack and took some 250 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies. Many of those killed or captured were civilians. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
