Security Council LIVE: Rising tide of forced displacement
25 September 2026
Peace and Security
At a time when war, climate crises and man-made disasters continue to displace millions around the world, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees briefed the Security Council on Friday.
What you need to know
- 41.6 million people worldwide are refugees
- 5.9 million Palestine refugees are served by the UN relief works agency, UNRWA
- 68.7 million people are displaced within their own country due to conflict or violence
- Most refugees – 68 per cent – are hosted by low and middle-income countries
- The legal basis for UNHCR’s work is the 1951 Refugee Convention
- Funding cuts are sharply reducing the number of people the UN agencies can help