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Number displaced worldwide hits record high - UN report | Number displaced worldwide hits record high - UN report |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The number of people displaced by war, conflict or persecution reached a record high of nearly 60 million around the world in 2014, a UN report says. | The number of people displaced by war, conflict or persecution reached a record high of nearly 60 million around the world in 2014, a UN report says. |
The document by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, says the number of people forced to flee their homes rose by 8.3 million from the previous year. | The document by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, says the number of people forced to flee their homes rose by 8.3 million from the previous year. |
The continuing conflict in Syria is seen as a major factor behind the record numbers. | The continuing conflict in Syria is seen as a major factor behind the record numbers. |
UNHCR head Antonio Guterres told the BBC the "world is a mess". | UNHCR head Antonio Guterres told the BBC the "world is a mess". |
"The drama is that if people think that humanitarians can clean up the mess. It's no longer possible. We have no capacities to pick up the pieces. | "The drama is that if people think that humanitarians can clean up the mess. It's no longer possible. We have no capacities to pick up the pieces. |
"More and more people are suffering, and unfortunately for many of them there is no chance to support them." | "More and more people are suffering, and unfortunately for many of them there is no chance to support them." |
Mr Guterres said that the number of displaced people had increased to 42,500 per day in 2014 from 32,000 the year before. | Mr Guterres said that the number of displaced people had increased to 42,500 per day in 2014 from 32,000 the year before. |
Migrants: What can Europe achieve? | Migrants: What can Europe achieve? |
Bulgaria's fortified frontier a staging post for migrants | Bulgaria's fortified frontier a staging post for migrants |
The report says that at least 15 conflicts have erupted or reignited in the past five years, including eight in Africa and three in the Middle East. | The report says that at least 15 conflicts have erupted or reignited in the past five years, including eight in Africa and three in the Middle East. |
This led to 59.5 million displaced people by the end of 2014 and 19.5 million refugees. | This led to 59.5 million displaced people by the end of 2014 and 19.5 million refugees. |
More than 50% of these refugees were children. | More than 50% of these refugees were children. |
UK International Development Secretary Justine Greening said that the latest statistics were shocking. | UK International Development Secretary Justine Greening said that the latest statistics were shocking. |
"I have met some of these people and they tell me they just want the chance to return to their homes and get back to normal," she said. | "I have met some of these people and they tell me they just want the chance to return to their homes and get back to normal," she said. |
"That is why as we give these families the basics they need to survive - food, clean water and shelter - we must also tackle the root causes of poverty and instability, in particular economic development." | "That is why as we give these families the basics they need to survive - food, clean water and shelter - we must also tackle the root causes of poverty and instability, in particular economic development." |
UNHCR said there were 38.2 million internally displaced people, with wars in Ukraine, Nigeria and South Sudan swelling the figures. | UNHCR said there were 38.2 million internally displaced people, with wars in Ukraine, Nigeria and South Sudan swelling the figures. |
In Syria alone, there were 3.9 million refugees and 7.6 million internally displaced persons. | In Syria alone, there were 3.9 million refugees and 7.6 million internally displaced persons. |
The next biggest sources of refugees were Afghanistan and Somalia. | The next biggest sources of refugees were Afghanistan and Somalia. |
Mediterranean crisis | Mediterranean crisis |
The document says that 1.8 million are still awaiting the outcome of asylum claims. | The document says that 1.8 million are still awaiting the outcome of asylum claims. |
It also points to a 50% rise - to 6.7 million - of displaced people across Europe, which is struggling to deal with a growing crisis of migrants crossing the Mediterranean. | It also points to a 50% rise - to 6.7 million - of displaced people across Europe, which is struggling to deal with a growing crisis of migrants crossing the Mediterranean. |
The authors of the report say their findings mean that one in every 122 people on the planet was either a refugee, internally displaced or seeking asylum. | |
New EU data shows that in the first quarter of 2015 Germany had the highest number of first-time applicants for asylum in Europe - 73,100, or 40% of the total (185,000). | |
Hungary received the second highest number - 32,800 (18%), Eurostat reported. | |
The 185,000 total was similar to the last quarter of 2014, but compared with January-March 2014 it was an increase of 86%. | |
Asylum seekers from Kosovo were the biggest group - 48,900 (26%). Second were Syrians - 29,100 (16%). In many cases Kosovo migrants are considered to be escaping poverty and are not classed as genuine refugees. | |
The figures do not include the many migrants who have made previous asylum applications in the EU. |