NEWS – Global Report on Internal Displacement 2024 (GRID-2024) was released recently by Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC)

HIGHLIGHTS

Overview of Internal Displacement in 2023

• The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) rose to 75.9 million in 2023, up from 71.1 million in 2022, as reported by the Global Report on Internal Displacement 2024 (GRID-2024) by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC).

Displacement Due to Conflict and Violence

• Dominant Cause: For the first time in several years, conflict and violence displaced more people than disasters, with 68.3 million people affected by the end of 2023.
• Key Regions: Countries like Sudan, Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Colombia, and Yemen hosted nearly half of the world’s IDPs due to conflict.
• Significant Increase: This marks a 49% increase over the 2022 figure for conflict-related displacement.

Displacement Due to Disasters

• Overall Figures: Disaster-induced displacement affected 7.7 million people by the end of 2023, with one-fourth of this caused by earthquakes.
• Weather-Related Disasters: While there was a decline in displacement from weather-related disasters in 2023 compared to 2022, such disasters still caused significant displacement.

Trends in Weather-Related Disasters

• El Niño and La Niña: The end of La Niña and the onset of El Niño played a significant role in the reduction of weather-related displacements in 2023.
  • La Niña: Typically associated with higher numbers of storms and floods.
  • El Niño: Usually brings drier conditions and droughts, leading to fewer displacements.
• Regional Impact: South Asia, including India, reported its lowest displacement figures in recent years due to below-average rainfall during monsoons and a weaker cyclone season.

Key Statistics and Observations

• Disaster Dominance: Despite the dip in numbers, 56% of all internal displacements in 2023 were due to disasters, compared to 44% from conflict and violence.
• Historical Context: The 2023 weather-related displacement figures were the third highest in the past decade, indicating that such events continue to be a major driver of displacement.

Ongoing Issues and Future Outlook

• Recurring Displacement: Floods and storms continue to displace people repeatedly, particularly in regions that are prone to such events.
• Long-Term Trends: The impact of global climate phenomena like El Niño and La Niña will continue to influence displacement patterns. The GRID-2024 highlights the need for ongoing monitoring and adaptive measures to address both conflict and disaster-induced displacement.

Preventive Measures and Strategies

• Improved Monitoring: Enhanced tracking and early warning systems for weather-related disasters can help mitigate displacement.
• Climate Resilience: Building infrastructure and policies that bolster climate resilience can reduce the impact of such disasters on vulnerable populations.

Conflict Resolution: Efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts and prevent new ones are crucial to reducing the high numbers of conflict-induced displacements