UN refugee agency: Number of displaced tops 100 million for first time

Refugees waiting for transportation after fleeing from Ukraine and arriving at the border crossing in Medyka, Poland, in March (Markus Schreiber/AP)

The number of people forced to flee conflict, violence, human rights violations and persecution has crossed 100 million for the first time on record – propelled by the war in Ukraine and other deadly conflicts, The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said.

The figure was described as “sobering and alarming in equal measure” by UN high commissioner for refugees Filippo Grandi.