New York, 4 November 2022 (TDI): Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) underscored to asses and evaluate responses to climate change and its relationship to both conflict and the subsequent displacement.
Globally, roughly 103 million people have been uprooted due to persecution, war and violence,
UN High Commissioner for Refugees @FilippoGrandi has been highlighting the link between climate change, conflict and displacement.https://t.co/bqNyKoid4X
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) November 3, 2022
He was briefing the Security Council. As the COP27 UN Climate Change Conference will begin this weekend in Egypt, Grandi expressed optimism that these features “will be in better focus” at the conference.
“I fear that tensions, frustrations, & competition will escalate & cause wider conflict, with tragic effects, including displacement, without more attention & much bigger finance for preventive, adaptation, & development and governance assistance,” he warned.
In the past year alone, UNHCR personnel have reacted to 37 situations around the globe. This includes those in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Syria.
According to the reports, around 14 million people have been forced to leave their homes as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
This created the greatest and swiftest emigration catastrophe in decades. Moreover, Grandi emphasized the need for action in four areas as he wrapped off his speech.
Despite a record level of revenue, UNHCR is experiencing a significant financial shortage in refugee food assistance. Additionally, he urged for “seriously enhancing peace-building” in fragile nations.
For instance by bolstering the capacity of the police, the judiciary, local governments, and the rule of law in general. In his third point, Grandi emphasized the need for improved protection of humanitarian work due to the growing number of threats that have lethal repercussions.
Humanitarian Law
Additionally, he added, “everyone must preserve international humanitarian law and support efforts to maintain the civilian character of refugee settings, which is becoming more difficult in many parts of the world.
In his concluding remarks, he urged the Security Council and the international community on the behalf of the UNHCR. It says to put aside differences of opinion “at least when humanitarian matters and causes behind global displacement are discussed”.
 in a briefing to the Security Council.... read more){kind=link}