disaster
World: UNHCR: Refugees in Eastern and Southern Africa remain in exile for nearly 16 years
By UN High Commissioner for Refugees at ReliefWeb
· June 4, 2026
· 3 min read
Countries: World, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda . The analysis, based on UNHCR’s registration data between 2001 and 2025, shows that displacement in the region is rarely short-term. At the end of 2025, 6.4 million refugees and asylum-seekers were recorded in UNHCR’s registrati
Key takeaway The data will form part of UNHCR's 2025 Global Trends Report, with updated global displacement figures, to be released on 11 June.
Why this matters
The prolonged displacement of refugees in Eastern and Southern Africa has significant implications for faith-based organizations and Christian charities involved in humanitarian relief efforts. With many refugees remaining in exile for nearly 16 years, the need for long-term support and sustainable solutions becomes increasingly important. The fact that children and young adults are among the most affected, with some spending their entire childhood and adolescence in asylum, highlights the importance of providing access to education and skills training. Christian charities and ministries can play a crucial role in addressing these needs, particularly in countries such as Uganda, Ethiopia, and Kenya, which host large refugee populations. By providing support for education, livelihoods, and community development, faith-based organizations can help refugees build a sense of hope and opportunity, ultimately contributing to their ability to reintegrate into their home communities or become self-sufficient in their host countries.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: June 4, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Countries: World, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda . The analysis, based on UNHCR’s registration data between 2001 and 2025, shows that displacement in the region is rarely short-term. At the end of 2025, 6.4 million refugees and asylum-seekers were recorded in UNHCR’s registrati
When was this published? This article was first published on June 4, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by UN High Commissioner for Refugees at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .