Global Internal Displacement on the Rise: Record High of 83 Million People Displaced
Record-breaking surge of global internally displaced individuals reaches 83 million figures. - Record-breaking surge in internally displaced individuals, now totalling 83 million worldwide
The number of people displaced within their countries is staggering, currently equals to roughly the population of Germany. This eye-opening surge, according to NGOs, is mainly due to conflicts in Sudan and the Gaza Strip, and devastating tornadoes in the USA. A report published by these organizations indicates that the global internal displacement figure has soared by 50% over six years, reaching an astounding 75.9 million by the end of 2023.
The report highlighted that an alarming 90% of the global total (73.5 million) were forced to flee due to conflict and violence. A heartrending figure, representing an 80% increase since 2018. Sudan, a country torn apart by civil war, now houses 11.6 million internally displaced persons – the highest number ever recorded in a single country.
Around ten million people were displaced due to natural disasters, a devastating figure that doubled five years ago. Crucially, nearly 99.5% of all disaster-induced internal displacement movements in 2023 were linked to weather events, primarily exacerbated by climate change.
In the USA, where destructive tornadoes like "Helene" and "Milton" ravaged the land, approximately 11 million people were displaced due to natural disasters – contributing to nearly a quarter of the global total.
Alexandra Bilak, the director of IDMC, spoke of a "convergence of conflicts, poverty, and climate that deeply impacts the most vulnerable populations." Often, the causes and effects of displacement are intricately intertwined, making crises more intricate and intensifying the hardships faced by the displaced.
IDMC, launched in 1998 by the Norwegian Refugee Council, emphasized the urgency of responding to this humanitarian catastrophe. This year's statistics, according to the council's director, Jan Egeland, should serve as an "alarm bell for global solidarity." Each instance of reduced humanitarian aid results in another displaced person losing access to food, medicine, security, and hope, he cautioned. The lack of progress in addressing global internal displacement is "a political omission and a moral blot on humanity."
"Natural Disaster", "Non-Governmental Organization", "Climate Change", "Exacerbation", "Record High", "NGO", "Sudan", "USA", "Climate"
Additional Insights
Several factors contribute to the alarming rise in the number of people displaced by natural disasters. One significant factor is climate change, which increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as hurricanes, typhoons, and floods due to factors like rising global temperatures, sea-level rise, and droughts and wildfires. In the United States, the impact of these extreme events is particularly evident due to factors such as the increased number of tornadoes and severe storms, widespread flooding, and an increase in so-called "billion-dollar disasters." Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that includes improving infrastructure resilience, enhancing early warning systems, increasing public awareness and preparedness, and providing support for the internally displaced through measures like housing, healthcare, and social services.
- The rising global temperatures, sea-level rise, and droughts and wildfires due to climate change have significantly increased the frequency and intensity of natural disasters.
- In the USA, the impact of these extreme events is particularly evident due to factors such as the increased number of tornadoes and severe storms, widespread flooding, and an increase in so-called "billion-dollar disasters".
- The report published by NGOs highlighted that nearly 99.5% of all disaster-induced internal displacement movements in 2023 were linked to weather events, primarily exacerbated by climate change.
- The increased number of people displaced by natural disasters is a major concern for organizations like IDMC, which emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to address this issue.
- This approach includes improving infrastructure resilience, enhancing early warning systems, increasing public awareness and preparedness, and providing support for the internally displaced through measures like housing, healthcare, and social services.
- The lack of progress in addressing global internal displacement due to natural disasters is a political omission and a moral blot on humanity, according to Jan Egeland, the director of IDMC.
