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Palestinian refugees are enduring extraordinary levels of suffering as the war in Gaza rages on, UN Secretary General said Friday.
“From the Sahel to Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen; to the DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo], Myanmar and Somalia; to the utter devastation we are witnessing in Gaza … Palestine refugees there are enduring unparalleled and unprecedented levels of suffering,” António Guterres said in his closing remarks to the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva.
Every four years, the event brings together heads of state, NGOs, refugee delegates and international agencies to discuss the solutions for the world’s growing refugee populations.
Speaking via video, Mr Guterres said the UN system is doing its utmost to support the Palestinians, particularly through UNRWA, the agency for Palestinian refugees.
However, he said, resources to support refugees are under enormous strain – especially in the Global South, which continues to host and welcome the overwhelming majority of refugees.
Mr Guterres highlighted the need to build “much stronger political will to end conflicts, and reverse the cycle of division, destruction and denial of human rights that drives people from their homes and places tens of millions of people in harm’s way”.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, said there was a “breakdown of civil order” and that Gaza was “teetering on the edge of a possible implosion”.
Gazan civilians are seizing humanitarian aid out of hunger and desperation, the UN said.
Current aid deliveries are a fraction of their prewar levels, with aid only allowed in via the Rafah crossing from Egypt.
The UN gathering in Geneva is aimed at garnering support from wealthier states for the low- to middle-income countries that are hosting most of the world’s displaced, which is “helping to stem the tide of misery”.
The UN refugee agency said that participants at a major forum to find solutions to a global refugee crisis had pledged more than $2.2 billion to help refugees and their host countries.
“Participants have demonstrated leadership, vision and creativity in the search for solutions to very complex problems,” said UNHCR Filippo Grandi in a statement.
The number of people displaced worldwide surpassed 114 million by the end of September, marking an all-time high and almost 40 million more since 2019.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who is Mohammed Al Halbousi?
The new speaker of Iraq’s parliament Mohammed Al Halbousi is the youngest person ever to serve in the role.
The 37-year-old was born in Al Garmah in Anbar and studied civil engineering in Baghdad before going into business. His development company Al Hadeed undertook reconstruction contracts rebuilding parts of Fallujah’s infrastructure.
He entered parliament in 2014 and served as a member of the human rights and finance committees until 2017. In August last year he was appointed governor of Anbar, a role in which he has struggled to secure funding to provide services in the war-damaged province and to secure the withdrawal of Shia militias. He relinquished the post when he was sworn in as a member of parliament on September 3.
He is a member of the Al Hal Sunni-based political party and the Sunni-led Coalition of Iraqi Forces, which is Iraq’s largest Sunni alliance with 37 seats from the May 12 election.
He maintains good relations with former Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki’s State of Law Coaliton, Hadi Al Amiri’s Badr Organisation and Iranian officials.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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