Geneva: Humanitarian organisations are sounding the alarm as several poor and conflict exposed countries warn they may be forced to close their borders to new refugees if international aid continues to decline. The Danish Refugee Council said the strain has reached a critical point and could reshape global migration patterns.
According to the organisation nearly 75 percent of the worlds displaced people are hosted in low and middle income countries. Nations such as Uganda Chad Mauritania Pakistan and Bangladesh have carried this responsibility for years even though they struggle with their own economic and social challenges.
Charlotte Slente the Secretary General of the Danish Refugee Council said the situation is no longer sustainable. She explained that aid cuts from major donors including the United States and parts of Europe have forced humanitarian agencies to scale back operations. She warned that without urgent action borders that have remained open for decades may soon close.
Humanitarian officials say the funding drop is sharp. In some refugee programmes food budgets have fallen by more than half leading to ration reductions and cancelled nutrition programmes. The Danish Refugee Council has already cut nearly 2000 staff members across Africa and Asia due to financial constraints.
The impact is already visible on the ground. In Chad new arrivals fleeing violence in Sudan face long waits for food water and medical care. Aid workers say people are sleeping outdoors without shelters because camps can no longer absorb large numbers.
In Uganda one of Africas largest refugee hosts food cuts have sparked fears that people may be pressured to return to conflict zones.
In Mauritania overcrowding and resource shortages have pushed camps beyond capacity affecting education water supply and sanitation.
Bangladesh where almost one million Rohingya refugees live is facing one of the most severe funding gaps. Clinics lack medicine safe water systems are breaking down and organisations warn that disease outbreaks could grow rapidly.
Humanitarian observers say another growing concern is political pressure. Several governments are facing public frustration over rising living costs and limited job opportunities which make hosting refugees increasingly sensitive. Officials in some countries say they cannot justify open borders while support from wealthier nations falls.
The UN refugee agency has also expressed worry saying the current funding level is the lowest in years despite global conflicts growing. Wars in Sudan Ukraine Gaza and the Democratic Republic of Congo have contributed to rising refugee numbers.
Humanitarian groups are urging donor countries to restore and expand funding. They warn that if vulnerable states begin closing borders millions fleeing conflict famine and climate disasters could be left stranded with no safe route.
Diplomatic talks are expected to continue over the coming weeks but aid groups say time is running out.
The situation remains tense as refugee hosting nations consider next steps and the international community faces pressure to respond.