Agency official: Over 330,000 displaced as Middle East hostilities rise
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Summary
An agency official, citing UNHCR figures, said more than 330,000 people have been displaced in recent days across the Middle East and along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border and urged scaled-up aid and safe passage for civilians.
An agency official reported that escalating hostilities across the Middle East and along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border have displaced more than 330,000 people in recent days, citing figures from the U.N. refugee agency.
The official, speaking in a briefing, said most of the recent movements have been internal and that "UNHCR is supporting those affected, scaling up aid, and urgently calling for dialogue, de-escalation, and safe passage for civilians fleeing violence in an already heavily burdened region." The official cited the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR) as the source of the totals.
The briefing provided country-specific figures: the official said Iran — which the speaker noted hosts about 1,650,000 refugees, mainly Afghans — reportedly saw roughly 100,000 people leave Tehran shortly after attacks began, though "no major cross border exodus has followed." The official added that Lebanon has over 84,000 people sheltering in nearly 400 collective sites, and that more than 30,000 people, mostly Syrians and some Lebanese, crossed into Syria seeking safety.
On the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, the official said border clashes have forced internal displacement of roughly 115,000 people in Afghanistan and about 3,000 in Pakistan.
A second presenter emphasized the human toll, saying, "Families left behind their homes, all their belongings, and their sense of normalcy," framing the figures as part of a broader protection and assistance need.
Speakers at the briefing appealed for international support. The presenter called for "sustained international solidarity and support to Lebanon" to ensure displaced families, including both Lebanese and refugees, receive protection, assistance and dignity. The agency official reiterated the appeal and said humanitarian partners are scaling assistance where possible.
No formal actions, votes or legal measures were announced during the briefing, and speakers described the figures as current estimates. The officials said the situation remains fluid and called for safe humanitarian access and de-escalation to reduce further civilian harm.