The world's leading source of data and analysis on internal displacement

Robust, disaggregated and harmonized data can improve disaster preparedness, support durable solutions for displaced populations, and unlock access to climate finance mechanisms.

IDMC presented the key insights from its report Internal Displacement in Africa: An overview of trends and developments (2009-2023) to the Group of African Ambassadors in Geneva.

Insufficient commitments on climate finance and major deadlocks in negotiations made this year’s climate summit one of the least efficient to date, but there was some progress when it comes to addressing displacement through this lens. Looking at this year’s key outcomes, successful climate action for displaced people will require breakthroughs in 2025.  

As 2024 draws to a close, one thing is clear: it has been another extremely challenging year for millions of internally displaced people (IDPs), and solutions to displacement are as challenging as ever. This year, our work revealed alarming trends but also offered a foundation for progress. Here are seven key insights from 2024, from understanding.

Climate change is making weather-related events that trigger human displacement more frequent and more intense. It is also making communities more vulnerable and addressing the underlying drivers of displacement more urgent. In the Horn of Africa, countries are facing a future where extreme weather events, especially floods and droughts, are likely to occur more often. Without policy changes and investments today, these events could trigger millions of displacements in the region, from floods and droughts alone. Knowing where displacement might take place, and how many people are likely to be affected, can help policymakers minimise its negative impacts.

• Displacement is one of the most significant forms of loss and damage, but it is underreported and overlooked in loss and damage assessments.

• It is necessary to account for displacement and its impacts in comprehensive loss and damage assessments to create better policies and responses for displaced people and to unlock adequate resources from climate finance.

• Action and support to avert, minimise and address loss and damage must be informed by data on displacement. Existing tools and methodologies are available to support countries in their efforts.  

• At COP29, displacement must be a priority in decisions related to efforts to avert, minimise and address loss and damage.