Europe

Europe’s forcibly displaced and stateless population is projected to increase by 2% in 2024, to 24.9 million people. The war in Ukraine is exacting a brutal toll, with a forecast of 5.8 million refugees across the region and over 3.7 million people displaced inside Ukraine in 2024. 

Further displacement can be expected, especially over the cold winter, as military strikes target civilian infrastructure. UNHCR anticipates modest levels of spontaneous voluntary returns by refugees and internally displaced people. With the European Union (EU)’s Temporary Protection of Ukrainian refugees extended until March 2025, EU States will continue hosting refugees and providing protection and access to vital services including education, health and employment. 

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In the last week of September 2023, following renewed hostilities in the South Caucasus region, refugees began arriving rapidly in Armenia. Within a week, approximately 100,000 refugees had crossed the border. UNHCR teams have been on the ground and at the border since the earliest days when the first groups of refugees arrived, providing immediate assistance and closely monitoring the situation in support of the government-led response. In the 'Latest Updates' section of this page, you will also find operational updates concerning Armenia.