The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has praised the United States for its commitment to accepting as many as 125,000 refugees for resettlement in the upcoming fiscal year, starting in October.
In a statement made on Friday, the UN Refugee Agency highlighted the global demand for secure and legally valid avenues for those who have been forcibly displaced.
UNHCR has appealed to other nations to enhance their initiatives, highlighting the substantial progress the U.S. has made in providing life-saving resettlement opportunities to more vulnerable refugees.
‘This is more than doubling resettlement this fiscal year, compared to the previous one.’
It further mentioned that the UNHCR would continue to lend its support to the U.S. government, along with civil society organizations and refugees, to guarantee the program’s success in the coming year.
‘This remarkable demonstration of compassion and leadership will provide many people forced to flee with hope away from home —- an opportunity and a place to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity,’ Matthew Reynolds, UNHCR Representative to the U.S. and the Caribbean, said.
‘Put simply, it will save and transform many lives,’ he said.
Africa Today News, New York, reports that UNHCR estimates that currently, over two million refugees are in need of resettlement globally.
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In 2022, UNHCR offices globally worked to recommend refugees for resettlement to 25 nations that are offering this important solution and expressing solidarity with countries that host refugees and asylum-seekers.
Globally, UNHCR is responsible for coordinating resettlement and guaranteeing its processing is carried out efficiently and on schedule.
‘While the world continues to grapple with the fall-out of conflict and violence, solutions for the displaced must be expanded.’
‘These are through resettlement and other legal pathways like humanitarian admission, family reunification and community sponsorship, as well as skill-based education and labour opportunities.’
Additionally, it pointed out that the U.S. Welcome Corps, established in January 2023 as a private sponsorship program for refugees, is a significant and forward-thinking contribution.
‘It is helping to provide more refugees with access to education opportunities and family reunification.’
‘Seventy-six per cent of the world’s refugees are hosted in low- and middle-income countries,’ the UNHCR added.
Following this, it appealed to more countries to enhance their contributions by offering resettlement slots and alternative means of admission for those hosted in asylum countries.