Disasters & climate change: Internally displaced persons and refugees

Source(s): Aid and International Development Forum

The number of forcibly displaced people has grown from 33.9 million persons in 1997 to 65.6 million persons in 2016 due in large part to significant conflicts in the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. As shown in the infographic by the Aid and International Development Forum (AIDF), 55% of all displaced persons in 2016 were from Syria, Afghanistan or South Sudan - also named the fastest growing refugee crisis. The rise in conflict globally has resulted in the occurrence of 20 displacements per minute last year and a new record high for the total number of people affected by displacement. To view the infographic, please register on the website.

This trend of conflict has continued from previous years. In 2015, there were 22.5 million recorded refugees, which is roughly the population of Australia, with 24% of whom were survivors of torture and/or violence. Even once geographically removed from the origin of their home conflict, 12% of female refugees, both women and children, were at risk of abuse. As evidence that disasters and conflicts can cause disruptions to everyone in the population, more than half of all refugees in in 2015 were under the age of 18.

More countries are participating in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) resettlement programme. A total of 189,000 resettlements took place in 2016, with largest instances of programme admission coming from countries such as the U.S. and Canada, which is consistent with previous years. In 2015, the UNHCR accepted 62% of resettlement submissions from the U.S., 17% from Canada, 7% from Australia, and 3% from both Norway and the U.K. [AOK1] Despite the increase in resettlement quotas, the gap in terms of needs remains great. There is a 72% increase from 2014 with 1.19 million people estimated to be in need of resettlement.

Disasters were responsible for 23.5 million new displacements in 2016, with 97% caused by weather and climate-related events. Almost 12.9 million displacements across the globe were resultant from the impact of storms such as Hurricane Matthew, which caused over 1 million people to be evacuated in Cuba alone. The hurricane accounts for all of the recorded internal displacement in the Cuba, and large portions of displacement in the U.S. and Haiti.

The infographic has been published in light of the forthcoming Global Disaster Relief & Development Summit (6-7 September, Washington D.C.). Insight and practical solutions to help strengthen disaster management capacities, improve preparedness and community livelihoods will be shared at the event. Humanitarian leaders and industry experts will examine best practice and technological innovations in response to pressing global challenges, including refugee crises.

Amongst confirmed speakers are:

  • Anna Spindler, Head of Supply Chain Management Logistics Service, UNHCR
  • Brian Kelly, Regional Emergency Director and Post Crisis Director for Asia and the Pacific, International Organization for Migration (IOM)
  • Christopher Smith, Director of Individual Assistance, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • Miguel Alvarez, Officer in Charge, Field Supply Team, Procurement Division, United Nations
  • Jacqueline Bass, Director Livelihoods, Social and Economic Development (SED), FHI360
  • Kareem Elbayar, Technology Partnerships Adviser, Office of the Director, Corporate Programmes Division, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
  • Dr Joe Leitmann, Lead Disaster Risk Management Specialist, Team Leader, Resilient Recovery and Urban Resilience, Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), World Bank Group

Take advantage of unparalleled networking opportunities at the Global Disaster Relief & Development Summit with over 300 high-level participants to exchange ideas, establish partnerships and benefit from prospective business opportunities. Register your participation at disaster-relief.aidforum.org

For all enquiries, please contact Alina O’Keeffe, Head of Marketing, AIDF at marketing@aidforum.org

Explore further

Country and region United States of America
Share this

Please note: Content is displayed as last posted by a PreventionWeb community member or editor. The views expressed therein are not necessarily those of UNDRR, PreventionWeb, or its sponsors. See our terms of use

Is this page useful?

Yes No Report an issue on this page

Thank you. If you have 2 minutes, we would benefit from additional feedback (link opens in a new window).