Having to leave a home and a life behind because of conflict, violence, disasters or any other reason is one of the most challenging life events anyone can encounter. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) may lose their job and belongings in the process, and are often viewed as an economic burden for host communities. Yet under certain circumstances, IDPs can have a positive impact on the economy, contributing their skills and innovations, creating businesses and bringing new jobs to their host communities.

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) is looking to assess the impact of internal displacement on the economy, uncovering its hidden costs but also highlighting positive examples where IDPs’ exceptional resilience, effective policies and supportive communities have turned displacement into a development opportunity. For […]

Displacement is a life-changing and often-traumatic experience. While it cannot be undone, internally displaced persons (IDPs) need to be able to resume a normal life by achieving a durable solution. However, as we celebrate 20 years of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, which explicitly articulate the right of IDPs to durable solutions (principles 28-30), this remains a significant challenge.

For one, finding durable solutions is a complex process that requires evidence-based and joint action involving multiple stakeholders, including national and local authorities, as well as humanitarian, development and peace-building actors. The Durable Solutions Indicator Library and Analysis Guide mark an important step in this direction.

Launched on April 16th, these two products are the result of a joint […]

There are more than 65 million people displaced globally due to conflict and violence. The majority are people who have become displaced within their own country. Technically they are not refugees as they have not crossed any borders, therefore they are classified as internally displaced persons (IDPs). International focus on the plight of IDPs is substantially less than on refugees and migrants. Christian Aid is campaigning to increase awareness of the plight of IDPs and advocate for their protection. As for all people, IDPs should be able to live in dignity, with happy and fulfilling lives. This starts with respect of their legal rights and protection under international humanitarian law, as reflected in the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.

This briefing presents ways that […]

A multi-stakeholder Plan of Action has been launched this year, the 20th anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (GP20). Driven by the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of IDPs, UNHCR and OCHA, the three-year Plan of Action has been developed in consultation with various UN entities, international NGOs, NGO consortia, academia, Member States, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other internal displacement experts.

The goal of the Plan of Action is to reduce and resolve internal displacement through prevention, protection and solutions for IDPs consistent with the Guiding Principles. The objectives centre around four priority issues: IDP participation; national law and policy on internal displacement; data and analysis on internal displacement; and addressing protracted displacement and […]