Refugee Crisis Headlines Barham Salih’s First Interview as UN High Commissioner

The newly appointed UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih, stated that the refugee crisis has reached unprecedented levels, with nearly 117 million displaced people worldwide amid shrinking international funding.

In his first interview since taking office, he emphasized that the refugee crisis is not merely about statistics but about human lives disrupted by conflict and instability.

He stressed the moral and legal responsibility of the international community to ensure safe returns or sustainable integration.

Personal Journey Shapes Global Mission

Salih reflected on his own displacement in 1974 and later political asylum, explaining how these experiences shaped his understanding of the refugee crisis and its broader implications.

He highlighted plans to shift the agency’s focus from short-term relief toward long-term empowerment of refugees and host communities.

Field Visits and Global Implications

Visits to Kenya, Chad, Turkey, and Jordan underscored the scale of humanitarian suffering, particularly among women and children.

He warned that regional conflicts, including Syria, have had far-reaching global consequences.

Salih called for broader international solidarity, urging both advanced economies and emerging nations to contribute more actively to addressing the ongoing refugee crisis.