The United Nations refugee agency has expressed concern over a U.S. decision to “reduce, substantially and for the third consecutive year, the number of refugees it will admit for resettlement.”

In a statement by the U.S. State Department on Saturday, only 18,000 refugees will be resettled in the country in this fiscal year.

"As the agency mandated by the UN General Assembly to lead and coordinate the international response to refugees, UNHCR is naturally troubled by this trend in the United States and elsewhere,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

UNHCR said the figure will leave thousands of vulnerable refugees stranded, adding that it “sends a counterproductive message to other countries on the need for more burden-sharing.”

The U.S. State Department said in its statement that President Donald Trump's administration was committed “to make decisions based on reality, not wishes, and to drive optimal outcomes based on concrete facts. This year's determination on refugee admissions does just that, even as we sustain our longstanding commitment to help vulnerable populations and our leadership as the world's most generous nation.”

UNHCR however noted that the admission of refugees by states was a humanitarian choice and not a legal obligation. It called upon countries to continue supporting refugee resettlement initiatives in order to save lives.

The agency also called for an end to conflict around the world, which it attributes to the increasing number of displaced people around the world.

(Source: UNHCR)