Number of Displaced People Worldwide Exceeds 82 Million

United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Paula Gaviria Betancur, drew attention to the scale of displacement cases during a press conference at UN Headquarters, stating that the current picture represents the highest level ever recorded. Billions of dollars in resources required for reconstruction

Emphasizing that reconstruction needs have reached unprecedented dimensions, Betancur stated that resources of 71 billion dollars are needed for Gaza, 11 billion dollars for Lebanon, 216 billion dollars for Syria, and approximately 588 billion dollars for Ukraine.

Expressing that reconstruction efforts offer important opportunities to address the grievances of displaced persons, Betancur warned that these processes could also lead to new injustices.

Stating that when displaced people return to their homes, they may encounter destroyed residential areas, vanished infrastructure, and a lack of documents proving property rights, Betancur noted that these problems pose serious obstacles to lasting solutions.

Emphasizing that the reconstruction process is not neutral, Betancur stated that decisions regarding what will be rebuilt, by whom, and for whom will shape the future of societies for many years to come.

Drawing attention to the risk that reconstruction activities carry of rewarding those who profit from destruction, Betancur said this situation could lead to forced evictions and the emergence of cities from which displaced persons cannot return.

Stating that reconstruction offers a significant opportunity to address the root causes of displacement, Betancur used the expression, "People who have lost everything need more than new buildings. They need recognition, they need justice."

Emphasizing that success in reconstruction efforts cannot be measured solely by the renewal of physical structures, Betancur pointed out the importance of the restitution of rights, the rebuilding of institutions, and the restoration of public trust.

Betancur stated that it is of vital importance to strengthen social cohesion and create the necessary conditions for displaced persons to achieve lasting solutions.

The UN Special Rapporteur emphasized that reconstruction processes should not be limited to repairing buildings and infrastructure, but should also be carried out with an approach that protects the rights of displaced persons, upholds justice, and enables safe returns.