UNHCR: 2023 report Emergency Preparedness and Response

In 2023, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, responded to multiple global crises, providing assistance to millions of people affected by:

• earthquakes in Syria, Turkey, and Afghanistan
• a new conflict in Sudan and the resurgence of old conflicts in Karabakh and Somalia, which led to an influx of refugees from Somalia to Ethiopia and from Karabakh to Armenia
• escalation of armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo resulting in over 1 million refugees
• Cyclone Mocha in Myanmar and Bangladesh
• floods in Libya and the Horn of Africa
• crisis situations in Darien and Venezuela

UNHCR issued 43 emergency declarations in 29 countries, the highest number in decades, and deployed 339 emergency responders. Despite raising over $5 billion, including $4.6 billion for emergencies and protracted crises, a $400 million deficit by year-end hindered aid delivery to the record 114 million forcibly displaced people worldwide.

Additionally, proactive emergency response was strengthened by conducting risk assessments, monitoring global developments, planning solutions for 28 high-risk emergency countries, doubling emergency training events, and training 393 emergency experts. Goods and services worth $302 million were provided, enabling rapid dispatch of emergency supplies to 16.7 million people. Thanks to the support of public and private donors in 2023, UNHCR was able to promptly deliver life-saving assistance and protection services to those most affected by the crises.