The Norwegian Refugee Council says a record 38 million people have been displaced from their homes by conflicts across the world, in a report released today.
Describing the numbers as “the worst figures for forced displacement in a generation,” Secretary General Jan Egeland said it “signalled our complete failure to protect innocent civilians”.
Conflicts in Iraq, South Sudan, Syria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria had been identified as particular hotspots.
"Global diplomats, UN resolutions, peace talks and ceasefire agreements have lost the battle against ruthless armed men who are driven by political or religious interests rather than human imperatives,” said Mr Egeland. “This report should be a tremendous wake-up call. We must break this trend where millions of men, women and children are becoming trapped in conflict zones around the world.”