World Refugee Day

War, violence and persecution worldwide are causing more people than ever to be forcibly displaced, according to a report published today by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. The agency’s new Global Trends report, which is the organization’s major annual survey of the state of displacement, says that at the end of 2016 there were 65.6 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, some 300 thousand more than a year earlier. This total represents an enormous number of people needing protection worldwide. This adds up to an immense human cost of war and persecution globally: 65.6 million means that on average, one in every 113 people worldwide is today someone who is displaced, a population bigger than that of the world’s 21st most populous country, the United Kingdom. To help us discuss this emotive issue we are joined on the line by:Markku Aikomus: UNHCR Regional Representation for Southern Africa in Pretoria, Roshan Dadoo: Director: Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA) : Jasmine Opperman : Africa Director : The Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium.James Chapman: Senior Refugee Attorney at the Refugee Rights Clinic, University of Cape Town: