When home is lost: From prevention to durable solutions for disaster displacement

About

As disasters increasingly force people to leave their homes, displacement is becoming one of the most significant human consequences of risk. Co-organized by UNDRR, the Sendai Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism’s (SEM) Migrants & Displaced Persons constituency, Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), this roundtable will bring together policymakers, practitioners, researchers and other stakeholders to explore how disaster risk reduction can help prevent displacement and support durable solutions when displacement occurs. 

Building on the GP2025 outcomes on disaster displacement, participants will discuss how various approaches and solutions from risk-informed development, resilient housing and infrastructure, social protection, livelihood restoration, anticipatory action, planned relocation, and community-led recovery can help people remain safely in their homes where possible, and rebuild resilient futures when displacement cannot be avoided.

Objectives

• Highlight the importance of addressing disaster displacement for achieving resilience, sustainable development and disaster risk reduction.
• Explore practical approaches to preventing and reducing displacement risk through risk-informed development, resilient housing, anticipatory action, social protection and preparedness measures.
• Examine pathways towards durable solutions for people displaced by disasters, including recovery, reconstruction, livelihood restoration and planned relocation where appropriate.
• Showcase lessons and good practices emerging from recent disaster contexts, while also addressing persistent barriers, including financing gaps, governance challenges and displacement in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
   

Format

Rather than a traditional panel discussion, the event will combine short field perspectives ("firestarters"), rotating speakers, and moderated dialogue focused on disaster displacement across the disaster cycle. This format will enable audience engagement, incorporate diverse voices and connect policy discussions with realities on the ground.

Time

The session will run from 10:00 to 12:00. Coffee will be served from 9:00 to 10:00. 

Registration

Registration is required but does not guarantee attendance, as space is limited. Participants will receive a confirmation email once their registration has been processed.