Economic Impact of Global Displacement
As of Friday, the Danish Refugee Council reported an alarming projection indicating that 6.7 million individuals could face forced displacement globally over the next two years, driven predominantly by ongoing conflicts and attacks on civilians. The situation in Sudan is anticipated to contribute significantly to this figure.
The humanitarian organization criticized the decision by the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany to curtail international aid, asserting that this withdrawal has left millions of individuals most at risk without essential support.
Charlotte Casta, the Secretary-General of the Danish Refugee Council, highlighted the dire circumstances, stating, “We live in the era of wars and impunity, and civilians pay the largest price.”
Currently, the global number of displaced individuals stands at 122.6 million. The council forecasts a significant surge in this number, projecting an increase of 4.2 million by 2025, marking the highest expected figure since 2021. An additional 2.5 million cases of forced displacement are expected in 2026.
Civil conflicts in Sudan and Burma are anticipated to account for nearly half of the projected displacement cases.
The report emphasizes that nearly one-third of the anticipated new displacement cases will occur in Sudan, identified as “the most urgent humanitarian crisis in the world,” where 12.6 million individuals have already been displaced internally and to neighboring countries.
Moreover, the report states, “Starvation has been weaponized in this conflict, leading to catastrophic famine conditions.”
In Burma, the escalating multi-front civil war has resulted in the displacement of 3.5 million people. Approximately 20 million individuals, representing one-third of the population, are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
It is projected that Burma could witness an additional 1.4 million cases of forced displacement by the end of 2026.
Additionally, the council indicated that countries such as Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, Yemen, and Venezuela will see rises in displacement driven by various factors, including armed conflicts, climate change, the consequences of prior conflicts, and insufficient social and economic stability.
Significantly, approximately 70% of the 6.7 million individuals expected to be displaced by the end of 2026 are projected to be displaced internally.
The council condemned the action by former U.S. President Donald Trump to eliminate 83% of the USAID programs for humanitarian assistance globally, characterizing this move as a “betrayal of the most vulnerable populations.”
“We are caught in a perfect storm: escalating displacement, increasing humanitarian needs, and a devastating reduction in funding,” added Casta. “Donors are abdicating their responsibilities, leaving millions to endure suffering. This situation transcends mere crisis; it is a profound moral failure.”
In a related development, the World Food Program announced on Friday the suspension of food aid for over one million individuals in Burma, effective next April, citing “severe funding shortages.”
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