Incorporating displacement into the treaty on the protection of persons in the event of disasters (PPED Treaty)

This resource brief argues that disaster-related displacement should be explicitly incorporated into the proposed Treaty on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters (PPED Treaty). It explains that disasters displace millions of people every year, with almost 70% of all internal displacement in 2024 caused by disasters, yet the current draft treaty gives little attention to this issue. The paper contends that displacement is a central consequence of disasters and that the treaty should better reflect the realities faced by affected populations by adopting a rights-based approach and strengthening international cooperation. 

The paper finds that the current draft treaty does not adequately address disaster displacement and recommends four key changes. First, it proposes explicitly acknowledging displacement in the treaty's preamble. Second, it recommends recognising the human rights of displaced people within the treaty's core provisions. Third, it calls for evacuations and planned relocation to be recognised as essential disaster risk reduction measures. Finally, it argues that international cooperation should include support for evacuations, cross-border movement, and humanitarian or protection visas when disasters overwhelm national capacity. Overall, the paper concludes that displacement should be treated as a fundamental element of disaster protection rather than as a secondary issue, ensuring stronger protection for affected populations and more effective disaster governance