UNHCR warns regional conflicts could drive increased returns to Afghanistan
UNHCR warns regional conflicts could drive increased returns to Afghanistan
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Ongoing Situations
UNHCR’s operations in Asia and the Pacific encompass two of the world’s largest forced displacement crises:
Afghanistan Situation
Following decades of conflict, millions of people in Afghanistan are experiencing abject poverty and hunger amid economic collapse, natural disasters and the widespread curtailing of human rights, particularly for women and girls. Since 2023, a shift in displacement trends has been taking place that has seen mass returns, including large numbers of forced and coerced returns, back to Afghanistan.
UNHCR and partners, including local NGOs, are responding to deliver vital humanitarian relief to returnees, displaced people inside Afghanistan, and to Afghan refugees and asylum-seekers living in its five neighbouring countries.
Myanmar Situation
Violence against civilians and the intensified armed conflict following the events of February 2021 caused tens of thousands of refugees to flee to neighbouring countries and have displaced 3.7 million people within Myanmar.
UNHCR has called for comprehensive and regional approaches to durable solutions for some to 1.6 million refugees from Myanmar, such as voluntary repatriation and resettlement. We focus on the responsive and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, strengthening community-based protection and resilience
Key facts and figures
Population groups in Asia-Pacific | 2024
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Regional Trends Report
The Asia & the Pacific Regional Trends report for 2024 provides an overview of forced displacement and statelessness in the region up to the end of the year. Presenting an in-depth look into the Asia-Pacific region, it follows on from the release of UNHCR’s flagship Global Trends report.
UNHCR helps to save lives and build better futures for the millions of people forced to flee their homes.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home.
Since 1950, we have faced multiple crises on multiple continents, and provided vital assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, many of whom have nobody left to turn to.
We help to save lives and build better futures for millions forced from home.
MIDDLE EAST EMERGENCY
A humanitarian emergency is unfolding across the Middle East. Families have been forced to flee their homes, including those who are already refugees, with nowhere safe to turn. Displaced people are in urgent need of aid.
UNHCR is the largest UN agency present in Iran. We are on the ground with emergency supplies and are ready to scale up as needed.
We are at the borders in neighbouring countries ready to respond with the relief items that people need most in the first days after they are forced to flee, including blankets, sleeping mats, and hygiene kits. Providing vulnerable displaced people with these emergency items supports their dignity, health, privacy, reducing further protection risks. Your urgent support can help us rush even more aid to families who have lost everything.
Refugees and displaced people are impacted across the region, including in Lebanon. They need urgent support.
equips a displaced family with a kitchen set — giving them the tools to cook, share meals, and regain a sense of normalcy.
can provide a hygiene kit—including dignity items for women—covering the needs of a family of five for three months and supporting their health and wellbeing.
provides a family tent to a displaced family—giving them safe shelter and protection during their time of displacement
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Refugee Voices
Through first-person narratives, refugees from across Asia and the Pacific share their experiences, perspectives and aspirations as people forced to flee.
What's happening around UNHCR
As the one‑year mark of the devastating Myanmar earthquake approaches, communities are slowly piecing their lives back together.
— UNHCR Asia-Pacific (@UNHCRAsia) March 25, 2026
⬇️See how UNHCR and fellow UN agencies are helping support that recovery.https://t.co/D1V7SIrbuB
UNHCR’s Operational Data Portal (ODP) now features a dedicated page for the evolving Middle East crisis.
— UNHCR Asia-Pacific (@UNHCRAsia) March 19, 2026
The portal provides up‑to‑date population figures, operational updates, maps, and other key documents.
🔗 Stay updated here: https://t.co/bNZowxuBhE pic.twitter.com/JlxbhHAbEY