UN Philippines chief sounds alarm on 2M increase in refugee numbers in first half of 2023

MANILA, 22 June 2023--In time for the Philippines' commemoration of World Refugee Day, United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez cited the long-standing partnership between the Philippines and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in providing people forced to flee with much-needed assistance.

Speaking at the “World Refugee Forum”, which was organized today by the UNHCR Philippines, together with the University of the Philippines Asian Center, and the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development, Gonzalez emphasized that "refugees need and deserve support and solidarity — not closed borders and pushbacks."

Gonzalez cited the findings of UNHCR's flagship annual report, the Global Trends in Forced Displacement, released on 14 June 2023. According to the report, as of the end of 2022, some 108.4 million people around the world have been forced to flee amidst war, persecution, violence and human rights abuses, This represents the biggest ever increase in the number of refugees worldwide in recent years. 

"These are not just numbers in a report," Gonzalez added. "These are individual women, children and men suffering, making difficult journeys,— in most of the cases facing violence, exploitation, exclusion, discrimination and abuse."

The full text of Gonzalez's message follows:

Good afternoon dear partners and friend and welcome to the “World Refugee Forum”, which is organized by UNHCR Philippines, jointly with the University of the Philippines Asian Center, and the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development.

Allow me to thank once again my dear colleague Iya, who is the Head of UNHCR in the Philippines, as well as her dynamic and creative team for leading this important commemoration.

I already had the honor of opening the First ever Refugee Film Festival in the Philippines, last Tuesday, at the UP Film Center on Monday, with an extraordinary beautiful film “Quezon’s Game”, which reflects the long-standing tradition of solidarity of Filipino people with refugees.

If you haven’t had so far the opportunity to join our Film Festival, please come with us later at the UP-Film Center for the last leg of this unique film festival.

Dear friends,

A few days ago, on the 14th of  June, UNHCR released its flagship annual report, the Global Trends in Forced Displacement, which reflected the biggest ever increase in the number of people who have been forced to flee amidst war, persecution, violence and human rights abuses, which stood at 108.4 million at the end of 2022.

And the prospects are not good, as this number has already reached 110 million as of May this year – an almost two-million increase in just a five-month period.

But these can’t be just numbers in a report.

These are individual women, children and men suffering, making difficult journeys,— in most of the cases facing violence, exploitation, exclusion, discrimination and abuse. 

More than ever, refugees need and deserve support and solidarity — not closed borders and pushbacks.

In such context, the United Nations commends the Philippines for continuing its legacy of upholding the rights of people forced to flee. As State Party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, the country pledged to respect the rights of forcibly displaced persons to seek asylum, regardless of nationality, religion, ethnicity, gender, and age.

We are happy to note that the Philippine government continues to honor its international commitments to provide people forced to flee with much-needed assistance. And in this context, we celebrate the long-standing partnership between the Philippines and UNHCR.

This year's theme "Hope away from Home" focuses on the power of inclusion and solutions for refugees, many of whom have been living in limbo for decades because they lack the opportunity to rebuild their lives in host countries or in countries of resettlement.

In today’s forum, we will be exploring how refugees are being represented in the media. Are they being portrayed in such a way that preserves their dignity and does not cause further harm? We will hear on valuable experiences, best practices and see how we can improve our approaches.

Today, we will discuss the so-called “whole-of-society approach” in protecting people concerned by forced displacement. The whole of society approach is the fundamental recognition that protection involves a wide range of support to be provided by an equally diverse number of partners. How do we ensure that people forced to flee would be able to avail of opportunities that will help them with rebuilding their lives?

Dear friends,

Once again, our thanks to our panelists and our audience, your presence here today means a lot to us in the UN, UNHCR and its partners, but more importantly, to people forced to flee.

You may remember that someone very famous said time ago that “Today, as yesterday, a nation is judged by its attitude toward refugees”. So let us continue sustaining the Philippines’ historical tradition of welcoming people forced to flee, which is a responsibility of all of us.

Thank you very much. [Ends]