War and conflict have long been primary drivers of forced displacement worldwide. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), by the end of 2022, over 108.4 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide due to persecution, conflict, and human rights violations. Among them, 35.3 million were classified as refugees. The consequences of war not only impact those directly involved in the fighting but also innocent civilians who are forced to seek safety elsewhere. In Syria alone, more than 13 million people have been displaced since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011, making it one of the largest refugee crises in modern history. Similarly, the war in Ukraine has led to the displacement of nearly 14 million people within a span of just one year.
How War and Conflict Lead to Forced Displacement
1. Threats to Life and Security
The dangers faced by civilians in war zones include bombings, targeted killings, and widespread violence. According to UNHCR, 90% of Syrian refugees cite violence and insecurity as their primary reasons for fleeing. The conflict in Sudan has caused over 1 million people to flee in just a few months due to escalating violence and human rights abuses. Similarly, the Israel-Palestine conflict has resulted in over 30,000 civilian casualties in Gaza alone, forcing people to seek safety wherever possible, despite limited escape routes.
2. Destruction of Homes and Infrastructure
Armed conflicts often lead to widespread destruction of homes, hospitals, and essential infrastructure. The UN estimates that over 5.4 million homes were destroyed in Syria since 2011, rendering entire neighborhoods uninhabitable. In Yemen, conflict has damaged or destroyed over 4,000 schools, leaving children without access to education and forcing families to flee.
3. Collapse of Governance and Law
Conflicts often lead to failed states where law and order collapse. In Afghanistan, after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, over 2.6 million Afghans sought asylum abroad due to fears of persecution and lack of governance. Somalia has experienced ongoing displacement for decades due to persistent lawlessness and the presence of armed groups. In Gaza, the ongoing blockade and governance crisis have left civilians without adequate legal protections, making displacement inevitable.
4. Use of Forced Displacement as a War Tactic
In some conflicts, forced displacement is deliberately used as a weapon of war. The ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people in Myanmar forced over 700,000 to flee to Bangladesh in 2017. Similarly, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to the forced deportation of over 1.5 million Ukrainians to Russia, many under coercion or threat. In Gaza, ongoing military operations have forced nearly two million Palestinians to relocate within the besieged enclave, with no safe exit options due to border closures.
Case Studies of War-Driven Refugee Crises
1. The Afghanistan Crisis
The crisis in Afghanistan has led to one of the most prolonged and severe refugee situations globally, with millions of Afghans displaced both within their country and across borders. As of 2024, approximately 23.7 million Afghans—over half the nation’s population—require humanitarian and protection assistance.
Within Afghanistan, more than 3.2 million individuals remain internally displaced due to ongoing conflict and instability. Internationally, the number of Afghan refugees has reached 6.4 million by the end of 2023, with neighboring countries such as Iran and Pakistan hosting the majority. Iran alone accommodates at least 4.5 million Afghan refugees, 71% of whom are women and children.
2. The Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar
The Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority primarily residing in Rakhine State, have faced decades of discrimination and statelessness in Myanmar. Despite their long-standing presence, they have been denied citizenship and basic rights, rendering them one of the world’s largest stateless populations.
In August 2017, a brutal military crackdown led to mass atrocities against the Rohingya, including killings, sexual violence, and the destruction of villages. This campaign forced over 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh, where they sought refuge in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar.
In August 2024, Amnesty International highlighted a resurgence of deadly attacks in Rakhine State, reminiscent of the 2017 atrocities. Mayanmar junta forces and the opposition Arakan Army have committed extrajudicial killings and widespread arson against Rohingya, Rakhine, and other civilians in Myanmar’s western Rakhine
3. The Israel-Palestine Conflict
The Palestinian refugee crisis stands as one of the most enduring and complex refugee situations globally, originating from the mid-20th century and persisting into the present day.
The roots of the Palestinian refugee issue trace back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, which followed the establishment of the State of Israel. During this conflict, approximately 700,000 Palestinian Arabs were displaced from their homes, a period Palestinians refer to as the Nakba, or “catastrophe.” These individuals sought refuge in neighboring territories such as the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) defines Palestine refugees as “persons whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948, and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict.”
Today, the Palestinian refugee population has grown to approximately 6 million individuals, including descendants of the original refugees. These refugees are primarily located in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
- Hosts the largest number of Palestinian refugees, with over 2 million individuals. The majority have been granted full citizenship, facilitating greater integration into Jordanian society.
- Approximately 500,000 Palestinian refugees reside here but face significant restrictions. They are denied citizenship and are barred from numerous professions, leading to socioeconomic hardships.
- Before the Syrian Civil War, around 500,000 Palestinian refugees lived in Syria, enjoying similar rights to Syrian citizens, excluding political rights. The ongoing conflict has severely impacted this population, causing further displacement and vulnerability.
Final Thoughts
The human cost of war extends far beyond the battlefield, leaving a trail of destruction that disrupts lives, displaces millions, and creates generations of refugees. The global impact of war-induced displacement is profound, straining the resources of host countries, challenging international humanitarian efforts, and exacerbating social and political tensions worldwide. Nations receiving refugees often struggle with economic burdens, while displaced populations face immense challenges, including statelessness, limited access to education and healthcare, and a perpetual sense of insecurity.
Ending wars is not just a moral imperative—it is essential for global stability and development. Every conflict that forces people from their homes fuels humanitarian crises, deepens socio-economic divides, and contributes to a cycle of violence that hinders progress. Sustainable peace, diplomatic resolutions, and international cooperation are the only viable pathways to breaking this devastating cycle. By prioritizing dialogue over destruction and humanity over hostility, we can build a world where no one is forced to flee their home in search of safety. The true measure of our civilization lies in our ability to prevent suffering, protect the vulnerable, and create a future where peace is not an exception but the norm.
