Middle East and North Africa
Middle East and North Africa
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Regional overview
The Middle East and North Africa region continues to face economic, political and security challenges, and the needs of the internally displaced, refugees and returnees remain high. Some 16.6 million forcibly displaced and stateless people are hosted in the region.
Their humanitarian conditions remain precarious, as they lack access to essential services and risk expulsion from several countries. They need UNHCR's support in promoting their self-reliance and integration into national systems and social protection schemes.
Complex political and security environments are exacerbated by adverse global socioeconomic conditions, high inflation, dwindling donor interest, and decreasing tolerance for those supported by UNHCR.
UNHCR continues its strategic efforts to protect, assist and pursue durable solutions for affected populations in the region.
Ongoing emergencies in the Middle East and North Africa
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Syria emergency
An offensive by armed groups on 27 November led to the overthrow of the former government on 8 December, sparking hopes for an end to the world’s largest displacement crisis alongside uncertainty over the country’s immediate future. Before these dramatic events, over 13 million people remained displaced inside Syria and in neighbouring countries following more than 13 years of crisis.
UNHCR's work in the region
Across the region, our staff deliver life-saving assistance to millions who have been driven from their homes. UNHCR works to protect refugees, displaced and stateless people by advocating for their rights, providing assistance that supports their basic needs and helping them access livelihood opportunities.
Together with partners, we advocate for improved asylum laws and systems and for durable solutions, enabling people to make free and informed decisions regarding their future, either through sustainable return when possible or building a future in a new country.
UNHCR continues to co-lead with UNDP the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP) in response to the Syria crisis, coordinating the work of more than 270 partners in support of national efforts in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye. The 3RP connects the response with longer-term national strategies for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
UNHCR plays a key role in the inter-agency response for internally displaced people by leading the Protection, Camp Coordination & Camp Management, and Shelter/Non-Food Items Clusters. UNHCR also co-leads the Refugee and Migrant Multi-Sector cluster.
UNHCR is the sole international agency addressing the protection and well-being of refugees and asylum-seekers across Yemen, mainly from Somalia and Ethiopia. While assisting all displaced people in finding durable solutions, UNHCR provides crucial protection and life-saving services such as child protection, psychosocial support, education, shelter, healthcare and cash assistance. Host communities also benefit from the same services.
Population and financial overview
Middle East and North Africa
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Populations
figures
figures
Note: The "Stateless" category does not include stateless people who are also in other categories, to avoid double counting. The total number of stateless, across all categories, is .
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder.
Population by country
Population by country
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder.
Population by origin
Population by origin
Source: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder.
Financial
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Budget by Impact Areas
Budget by Impact Areas
Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.
Budget by Operation
Budget by Operation
Source: 2025 budget was approved by ExCom in October 2024 while the 2024 budget figures include the latest supplementary appeals and are updated on a monthly basis.
total POC
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MENA Civil Society Network for Displacement
The Middle East and North Africa Civil Society Network for Displacement (MENA CSND) is a network for civil society actors to collaborate and develop common strategies for the protection and support of refugees and host communities in the region.
The platform aims to allow for cross-regional, joint multi-stakeholder advocacy to positively influence public narratives and displacement-related policymaking.
Eradicating statelessness
To prevent and reduce statelessness and identify and protect stateless communities, UNHCR provides legal assistance, seeks improved access to civil documentation, and engages in capacity-building and advocacy, including by promoting every child’s right to a nationality and advancing gender-equal nationality rights.
UNHCR worked with the International Institute for Humanitarian Law on training for government officials and other key interlocutors. We also organized a conference with the League of Arab States on implementing the “Arab declaration on belonging and legal identity”.