UNHCR report shows number of forcibly displaced people has risen for seventh year in a row 

All governments, and especially those of wealthy nations, should step up their support for refugees, Oxfam said today in response to UNHCR’s annual Global Trends report. The report shows the total number of refugees, asylum seekers and forcibly displaced people in the world is now more than 70.8 million. This is the seventh year in a row that a new record has been set.

Responding to the report, Oxfam’s Head of Humanitarian Campaigns Fionna Smyth said:

“Another year, another awful record broken. Behind these numbers are people like you and me making dangerous journeys they never wanted to make because of threats to their safety and their most basic rights.

“The contribution of the many communities and countries that have opened their doors to desperate people should be recognised. Often these are poor communities with challenges of their own. No country is above doing something to help, and wealthy countries have a special responsibility to step up their efforts, by offering aid to host nations and by resettling people who need protection.

“The Global Refugee Forum in December is an opportunity for governments to agree concrete action. Refugees and the communities that host them must be central to the discussions – they must not be shut out of decisions that affect them.”