Donors pledge US$857m to assist refugees in 2018

Different donor countries have pledged to give an initial US$857 million for some 67 million displaced or stateless people worldwide in 2018

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, will provide assistance to the stateless people staying many countries, including in Bangladesh, through the fund.

The pledges were made at an annual meeting in Geneva on Tuesday, amount to around 11 per cent of UNHCR's total 2018 funding needs of over US$7.5 billion.

This year's pledges are considerably higher than US$701 million pledges made in end of 2016.

While the pledges do not cover all of next year's funding needs, they can be seen as a useful indication of the anticipated funding levels and of overall support.

The indication allows the UNHCR to plan and continue operations that provide life-saving assistance and protection, without interruption.

These include operations in some of the biggest emergencies around the world such as those in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, according to UNHCR release obtained from Geneva.

While this figure represents the highest level of funds committed by states at this pledging conference.

The gap between the funds received and the needs of refugees and other displaced people continues to grow, said the UNHCR.

"A year of no peace and much war is about to end," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. "Refugee crises grow. Refugee needs grow as well."

He said UNHCR is often asked what these figures mean and what the impact of funding gaps is. "It means that UNHCR has to prioritise, sometimes mercilessly," he explained.

"This can mean some (refugees) will be left to fend for themselves during the harsh winter months and others won't get the assistance they need to reintegrate upon return."

According to UNB, High Commissioner Grandi particularly thanked the countries and communities hosting refugees.

"In terms of space, in terms of resources, in terms of the socio-economic and political cost of hosting refugees, they are some of the largest donors in support of refugees."

For 2018, UNHCR appeals to donors to sustain and increase support, through flexible and early contributions that avoid uncertainty and enable it to channel funds where the needs are greatest.