Refugees and IDPs

Although global forced displacement remains alarmingly high, it decreased last year for the first time in a decade. At the end of 2025, one in every 70 people—1.4 percent of the world’s population—was forcibly displaced due to conflict, violence, human rights violations, or events that seriously disturbed public order. The total number of displaced people decreased to 117.8 million in 2025, down from over 123 million people in 2024.

While refugee returns to Syria and returns of internally displaced people (IDPs) within Sudan were mainly due to improved security in some parts of these countries, at the same time, millions were forcibly returned from Iran and Pakistan to precarious conditions in Afghanistan. Similarly, a non-state armed group forced millions of IDPs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to return.

UNHCR data shows that the number of global refugees declined by 3 percent in 2025, totaling 41.6 million. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), an estimated 68.6 million people were internally displaced due to conflict or violence at the end of 2025—a 7 percent decrease from 2024.

Internally displaced people (IDPs) are individuals who have fled violence or natural or human-made disasters but have not crossed an internationally recognized border. They remain within their own country. Refugees are individuals who have crossed an international border seeking security and protection.

Of the 117.8 million people forcibly displaced at the end of last year, an estimated 45 million were children. Approximately two-thirds of refugees and individuals in need of international protection resided in countries bordering their countries of origin. Meanwhile, low- and middle-income countries hosted 68 percent of the world’s refugees and asylum seekers.

The largest host countries for refugees and other individuals in need of international protection in 2025 were: (1) Colombia (2.8 million), (2) Germany (2.7 million), (3) Turkey (2.4 million), (4) Uganda (1.9 million), (5) Iran (1.7 million), (6) Chad (1.5 million), and (7) Pakistan (1.3 million).

Over 70 percent of refugees, asylum seekers, and other individuals in need of international protection were from six countries, all of which were facing some of the world’s largest humanitarian crises: Afghanistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Venezuela. Sudan had the largest global displacement crisis, with about 14 million people forcefully displaced, and the largest internal displacement crisis, with 9.1 million people displaced within the country.

Supporting international intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that focus on helping refugees and internally displaced persons is one way you can help. DONARE has selected seven such organizations: the UN Refugee Agency, the International Organization for Migration, the Norwegian Refugee Council, the International Rescue Committee, the Danish Refugee Council, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a United Nations agency mandated to assist and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. The organization is known by its short name, the UN Refugee Agency. UNHCR was established on December 14, 1950, by the United Nations General Assembly to provide assistance to refugees resulting from World War II. On January 1, 1951, UNHCR began its work. Each year, the UN Refugee Agency helps millions of refugees and displaced persons worldwide. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the UN agency maintains offices in 134 countries.

https://www.unhcr.org/

Donate to UNHCR now
https://donate.unhcr.org/int/en/general-v2

Please note: Your donation might be not tax-deductible, if you donate via the UNHCR homepage. There are presently ten UNHCR National Fundraising Partners. For tax purposes, it is easier to donate to the fundraising partner in your country of residence.

Donate to a UNHCR fundraising partner now

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Established in 1951, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration, bringing together the governments of 171 member states. The United Nations agency works closely with intergovernmental and non-governmental partners to support migrants around the world, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees and migrant workers. IOM is also active in emergency situations, saving lives and protecting people on the move. In 2025, the UN agency aims to assist 101 million people worldwide.

https://www.iom.int/

Donate now to the International Organization for Migration
https://donate.iom.int/

Donate now to USA for IOM (its non-profit partner in the United States)
https://usaforiom.org/donate/

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization helping people forced to flee. Its headquarters are located in Oslo, Norway. The non-governmental organization (NGO) protects displaced people and supports them. Founded in 1946, the Norwegian Refugee Council started its relief efforts after World War Two and is currently one of the largest NGOs worldwide supporting refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The NRC's focus is the provision of urgent humanitarian aid during the emergency stage of a conflict or natural disaster. Today, the Norwegian Refugee Council works in new and protracted crises across 40 countries. In 2024, the humanitarian organization assisted more than 9 million people worldwide.

https://www.nrc.no/

Donate to the NRC now
https://www.nrc.no/make-a-difference-today/
https://donate.nrc.no/

Please note: If you contribute via the international donation website, your contribution might be not tax-deductible. You can donate directly to one of NRC's supporting national organizations.

Donate to a national organization

International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Founded in 1933 with the aim of helping the politically persecuted, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the largest non-governmental organizations (NGO) focusing on the support of refugees worldwide. The NGO provides emergency aid and long-term assistance to refugees and those displaced by war, persecution, or natural disaster. Its international headquarters are based in the United States. The IRC helps people affected by humanitarian crises to survive and rebuild their lives. The International Rescue Committee is currently working in over 40 countries.

https://www.rescue.org/

Donate to the International Rescue Committee now

https://help.rescue.org/donate/

Please note: If you donate via the US website, your donation might be only tax-deductible in the United States. You can donate directly to one of The IRC’s affiliates in the United Kingdom and Germany.

Donate to an IRC affiliate now:

Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international humanitarian organization helping displaced people around the globe. Founded in 1956, DRC is Denmark’s largest non-governmental organization (NGO). The Danish Refugee Council is active across over 40 countries worldwide and one of the major NGOs worldwide supporting refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). DRC works during displacement at all stages and provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance. The aid organization is based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

https://drc.ngo/

Donate to the Danish Refugee Council now
https://help.drc.ngo/en/how-you-can-help/make-a-donation/

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network. The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement along with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and 192 National Societies. Its headquarters are based in Geneva, Switzerland. National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies provide emergency relief to people in need during natural disasters, armed conflicts, and other emergencies. The Societies also play a key role in raising awareness on the importance of safeguarding International Humanitarian Law and the humanitarian principles. National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies assist millions of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and migrants every year.

https://www.ifrc.org/

Donate to The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
https://www.ifrc.org/donate

Please note: The IFRC is the umbrella organization of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. For tax purposes it might be easier to donate to one of the National Societies

ICRC, Movement and National Societies

UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a UN humanitarian and development organization. The organization provides health, education and other basic services to Palestinian refugees. Founded in 1949, UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, as well as in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. As a political solution for the Palestinian refugees is not in sight, the UN General Assembly has repeatedly extended UNRWA's mandate.

The relief organization is financed almost exclusively by voluntary contributions from UN member states. Around 5.9 million registered Palestinian refugees live in the occupied Palestinian territories, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

https://www.unrwa.org/

Donate now to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
https://donate.unrwa.org/-landing-page/en_EN

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