We never expect a disaster to happen to us. However, after a never-before-seen global pandemic and the worldwide ripple effects of the war in Ukraine, none of us are strangers to emergencies any longer. In fact, emergencies are growing in scale and pace. More people than ever before – over 325 million people in 69 countries - are in need of humanitarian assistance. Displacement is one of the most common and immediate impacts of emergencies, and the number of people forced to flee globally has now at a record high. Over 100 million people are displaced worldwide, with 2022 seeing an increase of 13.6 million compared to the previous year – the largest year-on-year ever increase. This is equivalent to 1 in every 78 people on earth being forced to flee. The majority of new displacement in 2022 was driven by the international armed conflict in Ukraine which has forced millions to flee within the country and across borders. Millions more have been displaced by other crises that have been simmering slowly and silently far from the world’s attention, such as Myanmar, Venezuela and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. And while more emergencies continue to break out, fewer are resolved, leading to protracted crises like Syria and Somalia in which millions of people are left in limbo. This is all happening against the context of the climate emergency – an emergency in which the most vulnerable pay the highest price. Nearly 90% of refugees and over 70% of those internally displaced by conflict come from highly climate-vulnerable countries such as Afghanistan and Mozambique. They typically lack the resources to adapt to an increasingly hostile environment – yet they are living through climate-induced disasters that are increasing in frequency and intensity. Since being founded in 1950, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has responded to every major humanitarian crisis, protecting tens of millions of people with rapid emergency aid and support. Whenever people have been forced from their homes by conflict, persecution, or other humanitarian crises, UNHCR is there, on the ground, delivering support to those forced to flee. Whether people flee to seek safety within their own country or cross an international border, UNHCR stands ready to help. However, UNHCR’s ability to stay and deliver to those in need is only possible with the support of donors like you. Thank you.