The large number of crises and conflicts around the world in recent years has led to a sharp increase in the number of displaced persons. The war in Ukraine and many other conflicts, such as in Sudan, are forcing millions of people to leave their homes.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) puts the number of displaced people worldwide at more than 122 million by the end of 2023. This significantly exceeds the record figure from the previous year (112.6 million). In 2023, the number is expected to rise to over 130 million. The number of displaced people has roughly tripled since 2013 (42.8 million). Accordingly, the financial requirements of the UNHCR, which advocates for the interests of refugees, internally displaced persons, asylum seekers and stateless people worldwide, have also increased massively. For some years now, the UNHCR has found it difficult to fund its operations adequately. There is an enormous financial need, particularly in those countries where the gap between needs and available resources has widened due to the scale of the Ukraine crisis, its direct impact on many donor countries and the associated earmarking of donor funds. These countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Jordan, Lebanon, Uganda, Yemen and Syria.
Liechtenstein has supported the work of the UNHCR for many years. This year, the organization will once again receive a non-earmarked contribution of CHF 100,000. Such contributions are of great importance in order to ensure the functioning and flexibility of the aid organization.