1 in 66 people worldwide isn’t “home”

By the end of 2024, more than 123 million people had been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, climate disasters and extreme poverty — nearly half of them children. We believe no one should have to make this journey alone. Watch our short film to witness the reality of forced migration, told through the eyes of those who have lived it.

Watch our short film Forced to Flee to experience their journey

Today, more people than ever in recorded history have been forced to seek refuge in another community or country. This isn’t just a crisis; it’s one of the defining movements of our time.

The Cause

The causes of forced migration are many and the repercussions reach far and wide. An increasing number of manmade and natural disasters are fueling an unprecedented migration crisis. These events are wreaking havoc, forcing families to flee their homes. Families like Yousif’s and Lyubov’s have had to choose between staying and surviving.

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Top drivers of forced migration

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Read our blog on the drivers of mass displacement

Conflict and violence

In Sudan's Darfur region, ongoing violence has forced entire communities from their homes — with many still displaced within the country and others fleeing across borders into places like Chad. This crisis is part of a broader global pattern of displacement driven by conflict and instability, from the war in Ukraine to the escalating gang violence in Haiti.

Climate-related disasters

In South Sudan, prolonged flooding has destroyed homes and farmland, contributing to the internal displacement of over 1 million people. This is part of a growing global trend, as climate-induced disasters like flooding, drought, extreme heat and cyclones continue to drive mass displacement and deepen vulnerability in already fragile regions.

Economic collapse and governance failures

Widespread economic collapse and the breakdown of essential governance in Afghanistan and Venezuela have driven millions from their homes. In both countries, persecution — whether political or ideological — has compounded these crises, forcing many to seek refuge beyond their borders.

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Where in the world?

Below are four of the greatest crises that are forcing people to flee their homes. Click on each country to learn more.

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The Effect

More people than ever in recorded history, and almost three times more than just a decade ago, have been forced to flee for their lives and desperately seek refuge in another country or community. Tragically, more than 40% of these are children.

Forced Migration Terms

Understanding Forced Migration Terms

Labels like "refugee," "asylum seeker" or "undocumented immigrant" may describe legal status, but they do not define a person's identity. Every individual is made in the image of God, with inherent dignity and purpose. Here are common terms explained in the forced migration crisis.

Asylum Seeker

An individual who professes to meet the legal definition of a refugee upon arrival in the country where they wish to stay, but whose case has not yet been adjudicated by an appropriate authority. Currently, there are 8.4 million asylum seekers.

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Among the displaced are persecuted Christians — brothers and sisters in Christ — whose journeys remind us that God's mission reaches both to the nations and through the nations, right into our neighborhoods. In welcoming them, we live out Jesus' call and glimpse the beauty of the global church.

Want to discover how God works through forced migration and how the church is uniquely called to respond? Take our A World on the Move free course to equip you with biblical insights and practical steps to walk alongside displaced people.

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At World Relief, we feel the urgency of this crisis — and we know compassionate people like you do too. We’re committed to walking alongside families in crisis through:

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