What is an internally displaced person?

Internally displaced persons (IDPs), also known as internally displaced people, are people forced to flee their homes. This can be due to conflict, violence, disasters, or human rights violations. Even though they have fled their homes, they remain within their country’s borders. Unlike refugees, IDPs do not cross an international boundary. They often lack formal protections.  

Today, millions of people globally are internally displaced. Many of them are women and children living in crisis-affected countries. They often lack stable access to shelter, healthcare, education, or safety.  
 

Definition of an internally displaced person

An internally displaced person (IDP) is someone who has had to flee their home, yet they remain within their country. Usually, they must flee their home because of conflict, violence, climate disasters, or persecution.

How IDPs differ from refugees

Both internally displaced persons and refugees are forced to flee their homes. This is because of conflict, violence, disasters, or persecution. The main difference is that refugees cross an international border into another country. Whereas internally displaced persons remain within their own country.   

Legally, IDPs are under the protection of their own government. They are not protected by international refugee law. But there are humanitarian guidelines for IDPs. 

Refugees are protected under international law, like the 1951 Refugee Convention. They have specific legal rights and protections in their host country.  

Both groups face serious hardship. But refugees have clearer legal protections under international law. IDPs often rely more heavily on their own governments and humanitarian aid. This can be problematic if their government is part of the conflict. 
 

Causes of internal displacement

Armed conflict, violence, and persecution lead to people being displaced within their own countries. They force people to flee their homes for safety. Internal displacement also results from natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, and earthquakes. In some cases, economic pressures can push communities to move within their own country. 

Conflict, disasters, and climate change 

Conflict puts civilians – including children and their families – at risk of violence, persecution, and human rights abuses, like trafficking. It can also destroy homes, schools, healthcare, and basic services. This makes normal life impossible and forces people to flee.   

Natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, force people to flee suddenly. They can destroy housing, livelihoods, and infrastructure. Climate change makes disasters more common and severe. It can cause slow-onset changes, like sea-level rise. These disasters worsen living conditions over time. They push people to move within their own countries.
 

Gender-specific drivers affecting women and girls

Women and girls are at risk of internal displacement, and increased impact and harm from displacement, for gender-specific reasons. These are rooted in inequality and discrimination. During conflict, women and girls are forced to flee due to gender-based violence. This includes sexual violence, forced marriage, and trafficking. During conflict and disasters communities and families can often come under great strain. Women and girls often suffer from harmful coping methods, like child marriage and taking girls out of school. 

Disasters and climate change can displace women and girls more than others. They often have fewer resources, land and inheritance rights, and mobility. They may also have greater caregiving responsibilities. These things reduce their ability to prepare for, cope with, or recover from shocks. 
 

How internal displacement is escalating around the world

At the end of 2025, more than 82.2 million people were living in internal displacement across 104 countries and territories. 

Almost 13.6 million people were displaced by disasters. More than 68.6 million were displaced by conflict and violence. 

The countries with the highest internal displacement due to conflict and violence were: 

• Sudan: 9.1 million 
• Colombia: 7.2 million 
• Syria: 6 million 
• Yemen: 4.8 million 
• Afghanistan: 4.4 million 

The countries with the highest internal displacement due to disasters were:  

• Bangladesh: 5 million 
• Afghanistan: 2.6 million 
• Ethiopia: 757,000 
• Türkiye: 651,000 
• South Sudan: 630,000 

For the first time, conflict and violence triggered more movements during the year than disasters.
 

What is life like in an internally displaced persons camp? 

Life in an IDP camp can be extremely difficult. Living conditions are often cramped and overcrowded. Access to food, sanitation, and clean water is limited. For women and girls, life in an IDP camp brings its own challenges, as outlined below.
 

Living conditions and access to essentials

IDP camps are often overcrowded with makeshift shelters such as tents or plastic sheets. There is limited access to clean water, food, and sanitation facilities. This increases the risk of disease. Life in an IDP camp can be one of insecurity and scarcity. Conditions can be unsafe, and aid is limited or even non-existent in some cases. On top of this, people face trauma from fleeing violence. They can develop anxiety from losing their homes and livelihoods.  
 

Unique challenges faced by displaced women and girls

IDP camps create challenges for women and girls. This is due to gender inequalities and vulnerabilities: 

Gender-based violence (GBV). Women and girls are more at risk of gender-based violence. This covers sexual assault, harassment, and exploitation in camps. Violence is more common where security and privacy are lacking.  

Limited access to health services. Reproductive health services, menstrual hygiene products, and prenatal or maternal care are often lacking or missing. Lack of healthcare can lead to preventable illnesses, complications during pregnancy or maternal mortality.  

Restricted mobility and safety concerns. Fear of harassment or violence can limit their ability to collect water, food, firewood, or attend school. This increases dependency on others. 

Disrupted education. Girls are more likely to drop out of school during displacement. This is because of safety concerns, early marriage, or household duties. This limits their future opportunities.   

Economic vulnerability. Women often have fewer opportunities for paid work or vocational training. This makes them more dependent on aid and at risk of exploitation.  

Caregiving burden. Women often shoulder the main responsibility for the family. They look after children, elderly and sick family member. This is stressful and reduces time for self-care or work. 

Psychosocial stress. Conflict and disaster can cause trauma. Ongoing insecurity in the camp can also increase the risk of mental health issues. This includes anxiety and depression. 
 

What are the socioeconomic impacts of internal displacement?

Internal displacement has wide-ranging socioeconomic impacts. It affects individuals, communities, and entire countries.  

At the household level, displaced people often lose their homes, land, jobs, and assets. It pushes families into poverty and dependence on humanitarian aid. Displacement disrupts education and healthcare. It cuts job opportunities and raises food insecurity. This can have lasting effects across generations.  

Internally displaced people put pressure on host communities. Public services, housing, and labour markets may struggle. This can increase unemployment, inequality, and social tensions.   

Over time, long-term internal displacement can: 

• slow economic growth 
• strain government resources 
• weaken social cohesion 
• undermine development and stability 

This is worse for countries already affected by conflict or climate stress.  
 

Economic hardship, education and healthcare loss

Internal displacement deeply affects: 

• economic stability 
• education 
• access to healthcare 

This is often in interconnected ways.  

Economic hardship occurs when displaced people lose their homes, land, jobs, and assets. They are forced to rely on informal or unstable work in areas where opportunities are limited. IDPs may struggle to access jobs, social protection, or financial services. This is often due to legal barriers, lack of documentation, and discrimination. Many families can become trapped in poverty. 

Loss of education is common. Displacement disrupts education in several ways. It damages infrastructure, creates overcrowded host schools, causes language barriers, and raises safety concerns. Children are more likely to drop out due to early marriage or household responsibilities. Girls are especially at risk. This reduces future skills, earnings, and social mobility.  

A lack of facilities, staff, and medicine can lead to a loss of healthcare. In displacement settings, people may be unable to access health services. IDPs often struggle to get: 

• maternal care 
• treatment for chronic illnesses 
• mental health support 
• preventive services 

This leads to worse health outcomes and a greater risk over time.  

Together, these impacts reinforce one another. They create a cycle where poverty, limited education, and poor health overlap. This makes recovery from displacement increasingly difficult.  
 

Long-term consequences for families and communities

Internal displacement affects families and communities. The impact can be profound and lasting. 

Long-term displacement can make it hard for families to escape poverty. They lose livelihoods, land ownership and savings. Children miss years of schooling, which can reduce future opportunities. Ongoing health problems and trauma can worsen family well-being. The impact spans generations. Family separation and changing roles can also affect relationships. 

Displacement can affect social cohesion in communities. It overwhelms services, housing, and job markets in host areas. Over time, this can: 

• increase inequality 
• create competition over resources 
• cause tension between displaced and host populations 
• slow economic development 
• weaken trust in institutions 

Sometimes, returning home or integration isn't possible. Displacement can reshape communities. It leaves lasting impacts on stability, development, and peace.

How internal displacement contributes to global inequality

Internal displacement contributes to global inequality. It worsens economic, social, and geographic divides. This happens within countries and between regions. 

Most people who are internally displaced live in low- and middle-income countries. These countries already face struggles, such as conflict. The poorest states shoulder the greatest burden with the fewest resources. Displacement pushes affected families into long-term poverty. It cuts off access to land, education, healthcare, and decent work. It also limits social mobility across generations. 

Long-term internal displacement also slows national development. It can strain public services and discourage investment. This widens the gap between stable and fragile countries.  

IDPs receive fewer legal protections and less international support than refugees. They are often left behind in global responses. This reinforces patterns of inequality at local, national, and global levels.

Marginalisation of vulnerable groups including women and children 

Women and children are often marginalised because of deep-rooted inequalities. These are made worse by crises and displacement. 

Women are marginalised by gender discrimination. It blocks their access to education, land ownership, income, and making decisions. Displacement can put them at risk of violence, unpaid work, and economic dependency. In camps or host communities, their voices are often excluded from planning and leadership. This leaves services poorly suited to their safety and health needs. 

Displacement disrupts school, healthcare, and family stability. The disruption can marginalise children. It pushes many into child labour, early marriage, or recruitment by armed groups. They lack education and protection. Over time, displaced children face long-term disadvantages. These reduce their life chances and reinforce cycles of poverty and exclusion.

What is the global response to internal displacement?

The global response to internal displacement involves a mix of:  

• humanitarian aid, including from local communities and responders 
• development support 
• policy frameworks 

But it remains uneven and often under-resourced.  

In addition to the support provided by local organisations, communities and families, many organisations around the world help internally displaced people. These include international charities, such as Plan International, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UNICEF, and the International Organization for Migration.  

These groups coordinate: 

• emergency help 
• protection 
• shelter 
• healthcare 
• education 

Organisations often team up with one another or with local organisations providing aid. They also follow the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. This provides a global framework. It outlines the rights of IDPs. It also sets out the responsibilities of states. Though these are not legally binding. 

National governments are responsible for protecting and assisting IDPs within their borders. But capacity and political will vary, especially during conflict or in fragile states. Lately, the world’s focus has turned to lasting solutions. It does not just focus on emergency relief. It also considers long-term integration, safe return, resettlement, and the inclusion of IDPs in development planning. But funding gaps and ongoing crises continue to limit effectiveness. 

What the Action Agenda on Internal Displacement aims to achieve

The UN Secretary-General set up the Action Agenda on Internal Displacement in 2022. This aims to resolve, prevent, and tackle internal displacement issues. It aims to move the global response beyond short-term humanitarian aid. And towards lasting solutions for people who are internally displaced. 

Its main goal is to reduce internal displacement. It also aims to end protracted displacement. This is by helping governments, humanitarian groups, and development partners work together more effectively. The Agenda focuses on: 

• strengthening national responsibility 
• integrating IDPs into development planning 
• improving data and financing 
• preventing future displacement 
• supporting durable solutions. Such as safe return, local integration, or resettlement 

Overall, it seeks to ensure that IDPs are not left in limbo for years on end. Instead, they are able to rebuild their lives with dignity, safety, and economic opportunity.  

What solutions exist for internally displaced persons? 

Below are the some of the main solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently being pursued around the world. These are based on global standards and expert insights: 

1. Durable solutions 

These are long-term approaches. They aim to end internal displacement by restoring stability and normal life for IDPs. According to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Framework on Durable Solutions: 

• Sustainable return to place of origin: IDPs voluntarily go back to their home areas when it’s safe, dignified, and viable to do so.  
• Sustainable local integration: IDPs join the community where they find refuge. They gain access to services, rights, and livelihoods there.  
• Sustainable settlement elsewhere in the country: IDPs settle in another part of the country with support to access housing, work, and services.  
• A solution is durable when IDPs no longer need help due to their displacement. They should also be able to enjoy their human rights without discrimination.  

2. Protection and inclusion measures 

To achieve durable solutions, displaced people must have: 

• Safety and security. This includes protection from violence and discrimination 
• Access to basic services. Such as housing, education, healthcare, water and sanitation 
• Opportunities for livelihoods, employment and income generation 
• Restoration or payment for lost housing, land, and property rights, if relevant 

3. National and international support 

National governments hold the main duty to protect IDPs. They must create conditions for solutions, as outlined in frameworks.  

International cooperation and funding help fill gaps. For example, the UN’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement supports vital work. This includes prevention, assistance, and solution efforts. This is through coordinated commitments across agencies.  

4. Integrated long-term planning 

• Lasting solutions for IDPs require: 
• Inclusive participation of IDPs in decision-making 
• Access to documentation and legal rights 
• Integration of humanitarian and development actions. This is so that IDPs are included in national development planning and economic recovery.

Durable solutions including return, integration, and resettlement 

Durable solutions are long-term outcomes. They allow internally displaced persons to rebuild their lives. This is so displacement no longer defines their needs or limits their rights. International frameworks identify three main durable solutions. Return, local integration, and resettlement. 

Return involves IDPs voluntarily going back to their place of origin. Conditions must be safe, dignified, and sustainable. This requires: 

• security 
• restored housing and land 
• access to basic services 
• livelihoods 
• reconciliation where conflict has occurred 

Return is not durable if people go back but continue to face insecurity, poverty, or a lack of rights. 

Local integration occurs when IDPs settle permanently in the area where they sought refuge. This means they are fully included in the host community without discrimination. They should also have equal access to: 

• housing 
• employment 
• education 
• healthcare 
• legal documentation 

Over time, social and economic integration increases. This reduces dependency on humanitarian aid.  

Resettlement in the country, also known as relocation, means IDPs choose to move to a safe area. This new place is not their original home or where they were first displaced. Resettlement is used when return is impossible or unsafe. It requires long-term support for housing, livelihoods and land access. IDPs should be part of local governance and services too. 

IDPs should have the same rights and chances as those who are not displaced. Durable solutions focus not just on where people live. But on whether they can live safely, independently, and with dignity.
 

The role of displaced communities in rebuilding their futures

Displaced communities – including women, girls and young people – are key players in shaping their futures. Not just as recipients of aid but as drivers of recovery and change. 

Rebuilding could entail return, integration, or resettlement. Displaced communities should be involved in making these decisions. This ensures solutions match real needs and cultural contexts.  

Displaced people bring skills, labour, and local knowledge. They can rebuild livelihoods, restore social networks and support community cohesion. They are drivers of informal economies and support systems.  

Displaced communities can be further empowered and supported through improved access to: 

• education 
• livelihoods 
• legal rights 
• leadership opportunities 

Along with listening to and acting on the views of displaced people, these steps strengthen can self-reliance and dignity. IDPs should also be included in planning and governance, including to make recovery efforts more effective.
 

Page published: 30 July 2026