The IDP database

The IDP database was established by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in 1998 at the request of the United Nations. Run by the NRC’s Geneva-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, the database offers comprehensive and frequently updated information and analysis on all situations of conflict-induced internal displacement worldwide. With just the click of a button, visitors can get a brief overview of the displacement situation in a given country, or browse the database for more detailed information on background, causes of displacement, humanitarian and human rights concerns, and national and international responses. In 2005, the database included nearly 14,000 documents from some 2000 different external sources. In total, the database provides direct access to over 12,000 relevant documents.


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How is the database organised?

Each country affected by conflict-induced displacement is covered by an Internal Displacement Profile. The Profile contains the entirety of the information included in the database for a given country. It begins with an Overview highlighting the main characteristics of the displacement situations as well as key concerns. This is followed by a compilation of excerpts from reports by a wide range of different sources. The excerpts are grouped together into Information Envelopes, each of them covering a specific aspect of the respective displacement situation. Besides the excerpts, each envelope includes a summary of its content in bullet points prepared by the IDMC, as well as direct links to the sources used. The envelopes are grouped into sections which broadly follow the structure of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.

The Internal Displacement Profiles are accessible through Country Pages which also provide access to maps, recent news and reports published since the last update of the Profile.


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What is the purpose of the database?

The database is designed to collect and analyse information on internal displacement around the globe, and make it available in a user-friendly way. By providing easy and free access to IDP-related information, the database directly contributes to raising awareness of the plight of internally displaced people. At the same time, it is an important tool used by humanitarian actors and governments to identify and address gaps in the protection and assistance of IDPs; develop IDP policies; prepare field missions; and plan humanitarian assistance and advocacy activities.


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Who are its users?

The wealth of information and analysis included in the database is used by an ever-growing number of policy-makers and field practitioners to shape national and international responses to internal displacement and to concretely address the specific needs of IDPs. Prominent among the database’s users are the various UN structures involved in protecting and assisting IDPs, including the UN Representative on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), both at headquarters and field level. The database is also widely used by other intergovernmental organisations, governments, international and national NGOs, as well as the media and academia.


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What is the database's added value?

The IDP database is unique in being the only provider of comprehensive information on all conflict-induced situations of internal displacement worldwide. Complementing specialised news providers, the database adds an additional analytical dimension and enables users to quickly acquire an understanding of IDP situations and their context at whatever levels of detail and depth is required.


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Our information policy

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre makes every effort to present information in an objective, unbiased and fair manner. All information submitted to the database unless otherwise stated is considered public. The database will not knowingly publish inaccurate information and will make all reasonable attempts to verify information and ensure reliable information sources. The IDMC cannot be held legally liable or accountable for the contents of the database. Where inaccurate data or information is presented users are welcome to inform the IDMC or provide an alternate account of a situation. The IDMC reserves the right to determine what information is entered into the database. The IDMC respects information providers' preferred use of information and makes all efforts to publish sensitive information in such a way as not to threaten the security of individuals or organisations.


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Contact

If you have any comments or information which may usefully be included on the site, please contact us at idmc@nrc.ch.