Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, adopted by the United Nations in 1998, provide a comprehensive framework for the protection and assistance of IDPs.

The UNHCR is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect and assist IDPs, including providing humanitarian assistance, promoting durable solutions, and advocating for their rights.

Armed conflict is the leading cause of internal displacement, accounting for over half of all IDPs worldwide.

As of 2021, there are an estimated 40 million IDPs worldwide, making them the largest population of forcibly displaced people.

Syria has the highest number of IDPs, with over 6 million people displaced within the country due to the ongoing civil war.

IDPs often face a range of challenges, including lack of access to basic services such as healthcare and education, discrimination and social exclusion, and increased risk of violence and exploitation.

The principle of non-refoulement prohibits the forced return of IDPs to areas where their life or freedom would be at risk due to conflict, persecution, or other forms of violence.

The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement identify three durable solutions for IDPs: return to their homes, integration into the local community, and resettlement in a third country.

There is currently no international treaty that specifically addresses the rights of IDPs. However, their rights are recognized and protected under various international human rights and humanitarian law instruments.

National governments have the primary responsibility to provide protection and assistance to IDPs, create conditions conducive to their return or resettlement, and promote durable solutions for them.

Civil society organizations play a crucial role in addressing the needs of IDPs by providing humanitarian assistance, advocating for their rights, and promoting durable solutions for them.

The media plays a vital role in addressing the needs of IDPs by raising awareness about their plight, holding governments and other stakeholders accountable, and promoting empathy and understanding towards them.

There are a number of challenges in implementing durable solutions for IDPs, including lack of political will, insufficient resources, security concerns, and the complexity of the displacement situation.

Addressing the needs of IDPs is crucial to protect their human rights, promote peace and stability, prevent further displacement, and contribute to the overall development of their communities and countries.

Individuals can support IDPs by donating to humanitarian organizations, advocating for their rights, raising awareness about their plight, and volunteering their time and skills to assist IDP communities.