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1 1 (January 27, 2022)

handle is hein.crs/govehgd0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Con ressbn I Research Sen, c ~ infornngth I y law d Li hcA914 0 Updated January 27, 2022 Overview of the Global Humanitarian and Displacement Crisis Humanitarian and displacement crises worldwide have become significantly worse in the past five years. The ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated humanitarian need. In addition, lockdowns and economic recession have created far-reaching secondary impacts such as increased food insecurity, gender-based violence, poverty, and reduced access to education and health. In 2022, the United Nations (U.N.) anticipates that globally more than 274 million people will require humanitarian assistance and protection due to conflict, disaster, and the pandemic (a 39% increase in two years). The United States is the single largest humanitarian and emergency food assistance donor, consistently providing nearly one-third of total assistance worldwide (more than $11.46 billion in FY2021) through global accounts. Types of Crises and Affected Populations As of mid-2021 (the latest year for which global data are available), more than 84 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide due to armed conflict, widespread or indiscriminate violence, or human rights violations. According to the United Nations, those displaced included 26.6 million refugees, 4.4 million asylum seekers, 48 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and 5.7 million Venezuelans displaced abroad. An estimated 10 million people remained stateless. (See the text box for definitions of key populations of concern.) Key Populations of Concern Asylum-seekers, who flee their home country and 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. Natural disasters and climate-related impacts further affect millions of people a year who often require urgent and prolonged assistance due to sudden events (such as earthquakes) or protracted ones (like drought conditions). On average, disasters displace 26 million people annually. Some populations move voluntarily, while others have to flee. Economic migrants, who often leave poverty and unemployment to seek better livelihood opportunities or family reunification, numbered approximately 281 million in 2020 (roughly 3.6% of the world's population). Refugees and others forcibly displaced, including vulnerable migrants, often face a different set of circumstances. They are forced to leave their homes for reasons such as ethnic strife, violence, human rights violations, or natural disasters. By mid-2021, more than two-thirds (68%) of all refugees and Venezuelans displaced abroad came from five countries (the same reported in 2019): Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Burma. (See Figure 1 for worldwide snapshot of forced displacement.) Figure I. Refugees/Asylum Seekers and IDPs Refuaees and asvlum-seekers up to SSM -TM up to Source: Created by CRS using global data available from UNHCR. Note: Smallest map values begin at 470,000. U P c The United States is a major contributor to international humanitarian relief efforts, with funding provided through the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the

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