Annual report

120
Annual Report 
2022

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MIGRATION AND 
DISPLACEMENT
Context
The migration and displacement of people, 
whether voluntary or forced, is one of the defin-
ing features of the 21st century. In 2022, millions 
of people were on the move.
Global totals of refugees and internally displaced 
persons remain at historic highs, fuelled by 
disasters, climate emergencies, new and old 
conflicts, and other crises.
For many, migration has allowed them to live safe 
and dignified lives and make economic, social, 
and cultural contributions in their countries of 
origin and destination alike.
However, millions of others continued to face 
unacceptable dangers.
People on the move face challenges in accessing 
essential services, protection risks, hostility, and 
exclusion. Many people who have been forcibly 
displaced suffer protracted and ongoing dis-
placement and uncertain futures in camps and 
urban settings. Migrants and refugees also face 
rising stigma, xenophobia, and marginalization 
including through laws, policies and practices 
that aim to exclude and disenfranchise them in 
destination countries.
Most African migration remains on the continent, 
with around 25 million documented Africans 
living in another African country (UNDESA, 
2021). This figure is likely underestimated, as 
many African countries do not track interna-
tional migration.
Violence continued to spread in the region, lead-
ing to the fastest growing internal displacement 
crisis in the world, with 11.5 million people dis-
placed due to violence (IDMC, 2022). The region 
already hosts one of the largest IDP (14 million) 
and refugee (seven million) populations in the 
world (IDMC, 2022 | UNHCR, 2022). Following 
the crisis in Ethiopia, it was estimated that more 
than two million people have been displaced.
In the Americas, diverse and complex migratory 
flows continue. Case management data from the 
Inter-agency Coordination Platform for Refugees 
and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V) partners 
show that the profiles of refugees and migrants 
from Venezuela in Chile have diversified, for 
example, with an increase in the population at 
risk and/or with specific needs.
One critical situation is the increasing num-
ber of migrants making the perilous journey 
through the Darien Gap border crossing 
between Colombia and Panama. According to 
the Panamanian government, the number of 
migrants and displaced persons attempting the 
crossing doubled to 250,000 in 2022, the highest 
level in the past decade.