A life-year approach for measuring the human cost of disaster displacement

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) proposes a new framework for measuring the human costs of disaster displacement using a life-year approach adapted from the disability-adjusted life year (DALY) methodology widely used in public health. The framework captures how displacement affects people's ability to live healthy, secure and productive lives by estimating "life-years lost" during periods of disrupted housing, livelihoods, services and social networks.

Rather than focusing solely on economic losses or mortality, the methodology estimates temporary reductions in human functioning caused by displacement and converts them into comparable welfare and monetary measures through the Value of a Statistical Life Year (VSLY). The model incorporates the number of displaced people, the duration of disruption and a recovery extension factor that reflects the severity and persistence of recovery challenges. The publication argues that this approach provides a more human-centred measure of disaster impacts, complementing existing Sendai Framework metrics that rely largely on GDP-based indicators. It offers a practical tool for policymakers, researchers and humanitarian actors to better understand displacement impacts, improve resource allocation and support evidence-based prevention, preparedness and recovery policies.