Refugees and displaced persons

In 2009, the number of people of concern to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (unhcr) increased to 36.5 million (from 34.4 million in 2008), including 10.4 million refugees, 5.5 million of whom were living in a protracted situation. The number of internally displaced persons (idps) as a result of conflict reached an estimated 27.1 million, with an unprecedented 15.6 million of them receiving unhcr protection and assistance. The latter figure constituted an increase of more than 1.2 million compared to the 2008 total of 14.4 million. The number of stateless persons identified by unhcr remained at 6.6 million, although the actual number was estimated to be closer to 12 million. Humanitarian crises and political tensions not only uprooted millions, but also prevented the return of refugees and idps. Consequently, the number of returned refugees (251,000) in 2009 was the lowest in two decades. In contrast, the number of returned idps (2.2 million) was the highest in more than a decade. There were more than 922,000 claims for asylum or refugee status submitted to Governments or unhcr offices in 159 countries or territories, representing a 5 per cent increase over the previous year (875,300).

Related Subject(s): United Nations