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1 1 (September 18, 2020)

handle is hein.crs/govdbve0001 and id is 1 raw text is: 0S;0 Ft., }' 3b'.,'!Id,' & , ,:i ., Updated September 18, 2020 Overview of the Global Humanitarian and Displacement Crisis Even before the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the global humanitarian and displacement crisis was unprecedented. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) anticipated that in 2020 more than 168 million people worldwide would require humanitarian assistance and protection due to conflict and disaster. The United States is the single largest donor, consistently providing nearly one-third (more than $9.5 billion in FY2020) of total humanitarian and emergency food assistance through global accounts. ..... . ...~e-sknd Afn,-s e po u,<,, a.t,.,,s, .- The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that at the end of 2019 more than 79.5 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide due to armed conflict, widespread or indiscriminate violence, or human rights violations. Those displaced included 26 million refugees, 4.2 million asylum seekers, 45.7 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and 3.6 million Venezuelans displaced abroad. UNHCR estimated that a further 10 million people remained stateless. Millions of people a year are also affected by natural and weather- related disasters and often require prolonged and urgent assistance. These events may be sudden (such as earthquakes or storms) or protracted (like drought conditions). On average, 26 million people are displaced annually due to disasters. In 2019, more than two-thirds (68%) of all refugees and Venezuelans displaced abroad came from five countries: Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Burma. Key Populations of Concern Asylum-seekers, who flee their home country, seek sanctuary in another state where they apply for asylum (i.e., the right to be recognized as a refugee). They may receive legal protection and assistance while their formal status is determined. Refugees, who have fled their country of origin because of a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social or political group. Refugees are unwilling or unable to avail themselves of the protection of their home government due to fears of persecution. Once granted refugee status, a person has certain rights and protections under international law. Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who have been forced from their homes, often for many of the same reasons as refugees, but have not crossed an international border. Stateless persons, who are not considered to be citizens of any state under national laws. Vulnerable Migrants, who are often forced to flee circumstances in their country of origin (such as generalized violence, food insecurity, and environmental change) but do not qualify as refugees. Some populations moved voluntarily, while others had to flee. Economic migrants, who often leave poverty and unemployment to seek better livelihood opportunities or family reunification numbered approximately 272 million in 2019 (roughly 3.5% of the world's population). Refugees and others forcibly displaced, including vulnerable migrants, often faced a different set of circumstances. Instead of choosing to leave their place of origin, they were forced to do so for reasons such as ethnic strife, violence, human rights violations, or natural disasters. Figure I. Refugees/Asylum Seekers and IDPs Refuigees and asylum-seekers :i5 . . .. . .... . . .. .... . . . . . . ... . . . . ..............:::: ... . . . . . . . . . .' ': ' ...- .. ... The Untd Statie ispatio ontrbtrtsnentoa ............ ti Source: Created by CRS using global data available from UNHCR. Notes: Smallest map values begin at 470,000. The United States is a major contributor to international humanitarian relief efforts. In the past five fiscal years (FY2015 FY2019), the United States provided $44.0 billion in global humanitarian assistance with funding through the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Agriculture. Congress has given the President broad authority on humanitarian issues and flexibility to respond to disasters with a wide range of assistance. On a bipartisan basis, it has consistently supported humanitarian efforts as a means of responding to natural disasters and conflict-induced crises in the short '.0 ~fl:O~ gognpo goo g , q 'S a X 11L1\L\N,\1kJ\W,

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