Record High: Global Number of Internally Displaced Persons Surpasses 83 Million

A recent report by non-governmental organizations has revealed a staggering increase in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) worldwide, reaching a historic high of 83 million. This significant rise is largely attributed to escalating armed conflicts and the devastating impacts of climate change.

According to a report released by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), the total number of individuals displaced within their own countries surged to 83.4 million in 2024. This figure is comparable to the entire population of Germany and represents an increase of more than 50% over the past six years, up from 75.9 million at the end of 2023.

The report highlights that nearly 90% of these displaced individuals, approximately 73.5 million people, have been forced to flee due to conflict and violence. This marks an alarming 80% increase since 2018. Notably, Sudan has witnessed the highest number of internal displacements, with 11.6 million individuals currently displaced due to the ongoing civil war.

In addition to conflict, natural disasters have played a significant role in displacing populations. The report indicates that around ten million individuals were displaced due to natural catastrophes, a figure that has more than doubled compared to five years ago. Weather-related events, heavily influenced by climate change, accounted for nearly all disaster-related internal displacements last year.

Alexandra Bilak, the head of the NGO, emphasized the interconnectedness of conflicts, poverty, and climate change, stating that these factors disproportionately affect the most vulnerable populations. The report underlines that the underlying causes and effects of displacement are often intertwined, complicating crises and amplifying the suffering of those affected.

The IDMC, established in 1998 by the Norwegian Refugee Council, calls for urgent global solidarity in response to these unprecedented numbers. Jan Egeland, the head of the NRC, highlighted that cuts to humanitarian aid jeopardize the access of displaced individuals to essential resources such as food, medical care, and safety. He further criticized the lack of progress in addressing global internal displacement as a political failure and a moral stain on humanity.