Publication
22 March 2019
Beyond the numbers: monitoring progress to reduce internal displacement
The number of people reported to have been internally displaced and the complexity of internal displacement crises across the world have increased substantially in the last decade.
Quality information on internal displacement is not easy to come by. The lack of robust data and evidence on the drivers and impacts of conflict and disaster displacement makes it difficult for governments and aid agencies to target appropriate and effective prevention and response strategies. Yet preventing and responding to internal displacement is critical to ensure the wellbeing and protect the rights of affected people, and to achieve development commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This thematic series presents tools and supports monitoring of progress to prevent and address internal displacement at the national and global levels.
The index is intended as an entry point into the complexity of internal displacement for non-technical audiences, including policy makers, government representatives and other interested stakeholders. It will provide a global overview of the situation and will be systematically accompanied with country-specific information and resources for additional material helping its interpretation. The overall ambition of the index is to advocate for increased investments to prevent internal displacement, reduce its negative consequences and raise awareness on this issue before a broad audience. As a result, its methodology is designed to remain accessible to all.
This report presents the rationale and methodology of this Internal Displacement Index (IDI) and initial results for Syria and Sri Lanka. The IDI will be applied to more countries in 2019 and is intended to be updated annually. It is published with the aim of facilitating progress monitoring on internal displacement by affected governments, their partners, aid providers, development agencies, academics and other interested stakeholders.
