The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has projected that an additional 6.7 million people will be forcibly displaced worldwide by the end of next year, compounding an already dire refugee crisis. The warning comes as major donor countries, including the United States, scale back foreign aid.
According to the UN refugee agency, the global displaced population surpassed 117 million last year and is expected to grow further. DRC Secretary General Charlotte Slente emphasized the human toll, stating, “These are not cold statistics. These are families forced to flee their homes, carrying next to nothing, and searching for water, food, and shelter.”
The AI-driven projection identifies 27 countries as key contributors to global displacement, with Sudan expected to account for nearly a third of new displacements due to ongoing conflict. Additionally, Myanmar is anticipated to see 1.4 million more people forcibly displaced.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping budget cuts include reductions in global aid programs, significantly impacting humanitarian efforts. The Danish Refugee Council has already faced more than 20 contract cancellations, while UN agencies report the closure of critical support programs. These include services for adolescent girls at risk of child marriage in South Sudan and a safe house for displaced women in Ethiopia.
“Millions are facing starvation and displacement, and just as they need us most, wealthy nations are slashing aid. It’s a betrayal of the most vulnerable,” Slente said.
