For the first time, the number of people forced to flee their homes surpassed 100 million this year. Most, 59.1 million people, are displaced within their home countries, often for years or even decades.
These internal migrants (IDPs) struggle to cover their basic needs, find decent work or have a steady source of income, among other challenges.
UNDP describes their situation as a “invisible crisis” because it rarely makes news.
End of IDP Exclusion
As climate change could force more than 216 million people to move elsewhere in their homeland by mid-century, the report advocates longer-term development solutions to reverse internal displacement. .
“More work is needed to end the marginalization of IDPs, who must be able to fully exercise their rights as citizens, including access to vital services. like health, education, social protection and employment opportunities,” said UNDP Director Achim Steiner.
“In parallel with vital humanitarian assistance, this Stronger development-focused approach will be crucial to establishing the conditions for the path to lasting peace, stability and recovery.”
The government must act
Report – Turning the tide on internal displacement: A development approach to solutions – calls for placing this “invisible crisis” on the international agenda.
It cites sample data from a survey of approximately 2,653 IDPs and people from host communities, in eight countries: Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nepal, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Somalia and Vanuatu.
A third of IDPs said they were unemployed, while nearly 70% did not have enough money to meet their family’s needs. A third also report that their health has worsened since fleeing their homeland.
The data was collected by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC) from January 2021 to January 2022.
The report emphasizes that overcoming internal displacement depends on government implementing key development solutionsincluding ensuring equal access to basic rights and services, promoting socioeconomic integration, restoring security and building social cohesion.
UNDP also emphasizes the need for better data and research.
The agency underscores its commitment to closing this gap through the Solutions for Internal Displacement Index, which will track progress and help governments transition from humanitarian responses to development.
