The main drivers of displacement remain large conflicts like Sudan, Myanmar and Ukraine, and the continued failure to stop the fighting.
In 2023 alone, nearly 255,000 permits were issued, marking a 14 per cent increase from 2022 and the highest number recorded since tracking began in 2010.
Another 103,000 South Sudanese have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, pushing the total number of South Sudanese refugees to 2.3 million.
UNHCR has expressed concern over Germany’s decision to tighten border controls and reject asylum seekers at its borders.
Ms Tan said, “Without international solidarity and burden-sharing, the institution of asylum is under threat.”
The spokesperson added that rescued migrants were being assisted in Lampedusa by the UNHCR and its partner agency the International Rescue Committee.
Uganda hosts more than half of that total, while Burundi has seen most new arrivals since January’s flash M23 offensive.
The crisis has displaced hundreds of thousands of people in eastern DRC, with 10,000 to 15,000 fleeing into Burundi in just a few days, according to UNHCR.
The United States contributes around a fifth of the budget of the organisation.
Syrian exiles are not yet flooding back into their country, according to figures released on Friday by the UN refugee agency.
