Key Takeaways:
- The number of displaced people worldwide has decreased for the first time in a decade, with 117 million people forced to flee due to war, conflict, and persecution.
- The Syrian refugee crisis has seen a significant decrease in the number of refugees, with one million people returning home and two million people displaced within the country moving back to their communities.
- The global humanitarian situation is dire, with cuts to lifesaving aid making the situation worse, particularly in countries such as Sudan and neighboring countries.
- Humanitarian workers are stretched thin, and funding shortfalls have forced the UNHCR to end critical lifesaving programs, leaving 11.6 million people without essential services.
- Investing in humanitarian aid is crucial for regional and global stability, and Canada’s support of UNHCR makes a significant difference in delivering frontline, life-saving support and solutions.
Introduction to the UNHCR Canada Representative’s Testimony
The UNHCR Canada Representative, Tracey Maulfair, appeared before the House of Commons’ Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (SDIR) on December 8, 2025. In her opening remarks, Maulfair expressed her gratitude for the committee’s focus on the causes of displacement and solutions, particularly during a time when discussions on these issues are scarce and divisions are prevalent. She highlighted the UNHCR’s work in over 130 countries, protecting refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people, and helping them find solutions.
The Current State of Displacement Worldwide
Maulfair emphasized that the current number of displaced people worldwide is staggering, with over 117 million people forced to flee due to war, conflict, and persecution. This figure is equivalent to the entire population of the Philippines and has decreased for the first time in a decade. She attributed this decrease to the return of one million refugees to Syria and the movement of two million displaced people within the country back to their communities. However, she cautioned that Syria remains a country shattered by war, and the hope for families to return is fragile, requiring safety, income, and access to education and other essential services.
The Importance of Peaceful Solutions
Maulfair stressed that finding peaceful solutions to conflict is the best way to ease displacement challenges and prevent people from moving. She emphasized that when safe, return is the preferred option for most refugees. However, she noted that the global humanitarian situation is dire, with cuts to lifesaving aid making the situation worse. She cited the example of Sudan and neighboring countries, where over 12 million people have been forced to flee, and neighboring countries like Chad have generously opened their borders to provide safety, but the services available are insufficient to meet the needs of the displaced people.
The Consequences of Funding Shortfalls
Maulfair highlighted the consequences of funding shortfalls, which have forced the UNHCR to end critical lifesaving programs. She stated that the organization’s global budget fell by roughly 25% in the past year, resulting in 11.6 million people not receiving essential services such as education, health services, and community support. This has led to increased risks, including the recruitment of children into armed groups, sexual exploitation, human smuggling, and dangerous journeys across deserts, jungles, or deadly seas. Maulfair emphasized that when displacement spreads, it weakens fragile states, and unchecked crises can spill across borders, driving migration and disrupting trade and investment opportunities.
The Role of Humanitarian Aid in Regional and Global Stability
Maulfair emphasized the importance of investing in humanitarian aid as a practical and cost-effective contribution to regional and global stability. She noted that Canada’s support of UNHCR makes a significant difference in delivering frontline, life-saving support and solutions where few others can. She appealed to the committee to recognize the vital role of humanitarian funding in providing safety for people forced to flee, preventing further displacement, and supporting people to return home when they are ready. Maulfair concluded by expressing her gratitude for Canada’s leadership and support in helping refugees worldwide and urged the country to continue to be an advocate for peace.
