nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in MENA, a new UNHCR report illustrates the devastating impact of involuntary migration/forceful displacement on the region. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include Ethiopia’s announcement on the completion of the Grand Renaissance Dam, insights into the genetic code of an ancient Egyptian, and growing alarm with Saudi Arabia’s execution of foreigners.
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)’s latest report has some grim statistics about involuntary migration, estimating that at the end of 2024, 123.2 million people—one–in–67 of the people alive in the world today—around the world were forcibly displaced, fleeing persecution, conflict, and other kinds of human rights violations.
The MENA region has been especially hard hit.
The UNHRC’s report details that at the end of 2024, 14.3 million Sudanese people had been forcibly displaced, an increase of 3.5 million since 2023, marking the world’s largest displacement crisis. While many Sudanese people have fled the escalating conflict in Sudan to nearby countries, more have relocated within Sudan, where they struggle with famine, lack of access to medical care and electricity, and an ongoing economic crisis. Sudanese refugees displaced to surrounding countries are also struggling, as governments and aid organizations lack the resources to provide refugees with reliable food and water. Violence is a problem in many places for these refugees, as is finding schooling for their children.
According to the UNHRC’s report, Gaza has over two million people forcibly displaced within Gaza as the ongoing humanitarian crisis has displaced 90% of the civilians in Gaza at least once (and many repeatedly). Although the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has tried to provide aid to those forcibly displaced within Gaza, Israel is trying to ban its operations.
The report does indicate a one percent decrease by the end of April 2025, and the UNHRC has hopes that the number could continue to decrease in some regions (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Ukraine). These hopes would be bolstered by peace, but even if these countries can achieve peace, improving stability is necessary to create safe conditions for forcibly displaced individuals to return. For instance, in 2024, Afghanistan saw a 10% decrease in the number of forcibly displaced people. Decreased fighting in Afghanistan encouraged some refugees to return, but others have been deported from Pakistan and Iran. Afghanistan lacks the necessary infrastructure to support these returnees, who will face unemployment, inadequate healthcare, and housing concerns. The UNHRC also found that 88% of Syrian refugees want to return to Syria within a year, but expressed concerns around safety, security, and whether they will be able to rebuild their lives when they return.
Unfortunately, the UNHRC and other similar global organizations are facing funding cuts that will greatly affect their work in providing food, shelter, and other essential assistance to these refugees.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from MENA:
- With the finalizing of construction at Ethiopia’s controversial Grand Renaissance Dam, Ethiopia seeks to convince Egypt and Sudan the dam will work to all their benefit.
- Scientists have analyzed and read the entire genetic code of the first Ancient Egyptian man, who lived more than 4,500 years ago.
- Amnesty International published a new report exposing a concerning growth in the number of foreign nationals executed for drug–related offenses in Saudi Arabia.
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As involuntary migration grows, MENA among worst afflicted areas
Syrian refugee in Lebanon, 2014. Image courtesy of plus8gmt via Flickr. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
July 18, 2025
Diplomatic Courier’s Stephanie Gull brings you weekly under–the–radar stories from around the world. This week in MENA: A recently released report from UNHCR shows sobering numbers of forcibly displaced people internationally—with the MENA region being particularly hard hit.
U
nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in MENA, a new UNHCR report illustrates the devastating impact of involuntary migration/forceful displacement on the region. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include Ethiopia’s announcement on the completion of the Grand Renaissance Dam, insights into the genetic code of an ancient Egyptian, and growing alarm with Saudi Arabia’s execution of foreigners.
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)’s latest report has some grim statistics about involuntary migration, estimating that at the end of 2024, 123.2 million people—one–in–67 of the people alive in the world today—around the world were forcibly displaced, fleeing persecution, conflict, and other kinds of human rights violations.
The MENA region has been especially hard hit.
The UNHRC’s report details that at the end of 2024, 14.3 million Sudanese people had been forcibly displaced, an increase of 3.5 million since 2023, marking the world’s largest displacement crisis. While many Sudanese people have fled the escalating conflict in Sudan to nearby countries, more have relocated within Sudan, where they struggle with famine, lack of access to medical care and electricity, and an ongoing economic crisis. Sudanese refugees displaced to surrounding countries are also struggling, as governments and aid organizations lack the resources to provide refugees with reliable food and water. Violence is a problem in many places for these refugees, as is finding schooling for their children.
According to the UNHRC’s report, Gaza has over two million people forcibly displaced within Gaza as the ongoing humanitarian crisis has displaced 90% of the civilians in Gaza at least once (and many repeatedly). Although the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has tried to provide aid to those forcibly displaced within Gaza, Israel is trying to ban its operations.
The report does indicate a one percent decrease by the end of April 2025, and the UNHRC has hopes that the number could continue to decrease in some regions (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and Ukraine). These hopes would be bolstered by peace, but even if these countries can achieve peace, improving stability is necessary to create safe conditions for forcibly displaced individuals to return. For instance, in 2024, Afghanistan saw a 10% decrease in the number of forcibly displaced people. Decreased fighting in Afghanistan encouraged some refugees to return, but others have been deported from Pakistan and Iran. Afghanistan lacks the necessary infrastructure to support these returnees, who will face unemployment, inadequate healthcare, and housing concerns. The UNHRC also found that 88% of Syrian refugees want to return to Syria within a year, but expressed concerns around safety, security, and whether they will be able to rebuild their lives when they return.
Unfortunately, the UNHRC and other similar global organizations are facing funding cuts that will greatly affect their work in providing food, shelter, and other essential assistance to these refugees.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from MENA:
- With the finalizing of construction at Ethiopia’s controversial Grand Renaissance Dam, Ethiopia seeks to convince Egypt and Sudan the dam will work to all their benefit.
- Scientists have analyzed and read the entire genetic code of the first Ancient Egyptian man, who lived more than 4,500 years ago.
- Amnesty International published a new report exposing a concerning growth in the number of foreign nationals executed for drug–related offenses in Saudi Arabia.
