What is the current global refugee situation?

Armed conflict, violence, natural disasters, and political instability dominate our news feeds. What doesn't always make the headlines is the displacement of millions uprooted from their homes and countries when catastrophe strikes.

Forced to escape by land, sea, or air,  110 million people have been forcibly displaced as of mid-2023, according to UNHCR. Of these, 40 per cent are children. Many remain in camps for years. UNHCR estimates that between 2018 and 2022, an average of 385,000 children were born as refugees every year.

Refugees (those forced to leave their country to escape conflict, persecution or natural disaster) and internally displaced people are struggling like never before. Ongoing conflicts and shrinking levels of life-saving assistance due to a severely underfunded humanitarian response are all making life harder than ever for them.

This World Refugee Day, let refugees know they are not forgotten. 

How does being a refugee impact children?

Children are particularly vulnerable to displacement. They face dangers as they flee to safety. Refugee children often face discrimination and lack access to even their basic rights. They do not get an education, they are exposed to violence, neglect, abuse and exploitation, there is a lack of shelter for children and they become malnourished. 

43.3 million forcibly displaced around the world are children. 

The health and well-being measures of refugee children are falling. Many lack access to good food or clean water and they are missing pivotal life-building experiences like play and education.   

How does World Vision support refugees?

Through the provision of food, health and nutrition assistance, WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) support, safe spaces for children to learn and play, vocational training and livelihood programmes and cash, voucher transfers and social protection, World Vision is providing a window of hope for refugees.   

Our staff on the ground works to meet the needs of refugee children as well as the host communities, which are often intrinsically connected. 

Together with grassroots organizations and local governments including faith leaders, we work to ensure children and their families have access to the resources they need to survive, recover and build a future.