UNHCR welcomes Australia’s increase in refugee resettlement
Press Releases
11 August 2023
This statement may be attributed to Adrian Edwards, UNHCR Representative for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, in Canberra.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomes today’s announcement by the Australian Government to increase its annual humanitarian program from 17,875 to 20,000 places per year.
This increase comes at a critical time of record global displacement.
According to the latest projections by UNHCR, over 2.4 million refugees will be in need of resettlement in 2024, marking a 20 per cent increase. One third of global needs are in the Asia region, with Afghanistan and Myanmar among some of the most acute crises.
The concerning trend of new emergencies and protracted refugee situations globally highlights the critical need for countries with the means, including Australia, to support regional neighbors in responsibility sharing, increased funding and resettlement places.
Resettlement provides a critical lifeline for those forced to flee – resettlement gives refugees protection and the chance to rebuild their lives and contribute to society. Unfortunately, only a tiny proportion of the world’s refugees are accepted by States for resettlement each year.
