UNHCR - Ethiopia || Protection in Africa

Africa hosts approximately three million refugees and more than thirteen million internally displaced people - and this despite numerous success stories of the voluntary return of millions of people to their countries and areas of origin as well as other durable solutions such as local integration in countries of asylum and resettlement to third countries during the past 15 years. Although the resolution of numerous conflicts during the past several years has created an environment generally conducive for the return of many refugees, homeward movements have largely been offset by new displacement in new or re-ignited conflict situations. Most of the refugees in the Continent have also been in exile for several years making Africa a continent with the largest number of protracted refugee and IDP situations in the world.

Despite a long tradition of generosity and hospitality towards refugees African countries are facing increasing challenges to effectively protect, assist and find durable solutions for these people. This page of the website is dedicated to presenting the protection issues and challenges facing the continent and encouraging discussions to address them.