London – The UN’s Special Envoy for Refugees, Angelina Jolie, on Monday warned that the global system of humanitarian assistance for refugees was breaking down amid a fear of migration.

Jolie said in a speech at a forum on migration that the international community had a once-in-a-generation moment to cooperate and help over 60 million displaced people, the largest number since World War II.

“This number tells us something deeply worrying about the peace and security of the world

“The UN campaigns that are to help refugees are seriously underfunded.

“Is there any surprise that some of these desperate people, who are running out of all options and who see no hope of returning home, would make a push for Europe as a last resort, even at the risk of death?’’ Jolie said.

Report says Western nations only experienced a fraction of the global refugee problem, with far greater impact on countries such as Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Lebanon, Iran and Ethiopia.

“If your neighbour’s house is on fire you are not safe if you lock your doors, strength lies in being unafraid,’’ she said.

Jolie commented on “open door’’ to Syrian refugees in 2015 by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, that it was a beautiful thing that said something to the world.