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UNHCR reveals developing countries shelter more refugees
Washington, Nov 09: Developing countries produced 86 per cent of the world`s refugees over the past decade, but also provided asylum for seven out of ten of those fleeing, according to a new statistical yearbook released today by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Washington, Nov 09: Developing countries produced 86 per cent of the world's refugees over the past decade, but also provided asylum for seven out of ten of those fleeing, according to a new statistical yearbook released today by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The first annual ''UNHCR Statistical Yearbook'' notes that while rich countries voice increasing concern over the numbers of asylum seekers arriving on their borders, it is mainly poor nations that provide asylum to the world's refugees -- 72 per cent over the past 10 years. In view of these facts, the UNHCR emphasised that industrialised nations must share in international refugee protection.
Explaining the findings, UNHCR spokesman Kris Janowski said: ''these statistics also underscore the vital importance of investing in solutions for refugees and displaced people in regions of origin.
''We need to see more investment not only in humanitarian activities by UNHCR and its partners, but also in the longer-term development sphere where a lot more could be done to support the often poor communities that host refugees.''
After an almost 40 per cent decrease from the numbers of the early 1990s, the yearbook says, the number of global refugees has remained relatively stable at 12 million for the past five years.
The study, however, detected a marked change in geographic patterns. While the number of refugees in Africa has declined, the number has increased in Asia.
''The fact that seven out of 10 refugees are hosted by low-income countries underscores the responsibility of industrialised states to share in international refugee protection,'' the book states in a compilation of its main findings.
The first annual ''UNHCR Statistical Yearbook'' notes that while rich countries voice increasing concern over the numbers of asylum seekers arriving on their borders, it is mainly poor nations that provide asylum to the world's refugees -- 72 per cent over the past 10 years. In view of these facts, the UNHCR emphasised that industrialised nations must share in international refugee protection.
Explaining the findings, UNHCR spokesman Kris Janowski said: ''these statistics also underscore the vital importance of investing in solutions for refugees and displaced people in regions of origin.
''We need to see more investment not only in humanitarian activities by UNHCR and its partners, but also in the longer-term development sphere where a lot more could be done to support the often poor communities that host refugees.''
After an almost 40 per cent decrease from the numbers of the early 1990s, the yearbook says, the number of global refugees has remained relatively stable at 12 million for the past five years.
The study, however, detected a marked change in geographic patterns. While the number of refugees in Africa has declined, the number has increased in Asia.
''The fact that seven out of 10 refugees are hosted by low-income countries underscores the responsibility of industrialised states to share in international refugee protection,'' the book states in a compilation of its main findings.
Bureau Report