A/HRC/35/27 V. Conclusions 71. The picture of internal displacement and the plight of internally displaced persons globally have offered little positive news in recent years. Massive and ongoing conflicts and displacement crises remain unresolved, and some have worsened or become entrenched. New conflicts have emerged and disasters struck, causing internal displacement numbers to rise relentlessly to record levels, which puts new pressure on an already overstretched international system of humanitarian response. Where conflicts have abated, internally displaced persons often do not achieve durable solutions for years after their displacement, if at all. The protracted nature of some conflicts and internal displacement all too often results in protracted humanitarian responses that fail to progress to recovery phases and towards durable solutions for internally displaced persons. In some cases, donor fatigue results in fewer resources being available to address expanding and complex caseloads of internally displaced persons. 72. Indeed, the numbers of internally displaced persons globally are in fact likely to be significantly higher than those publicly stated by the United Nations and other international organizations, which only take into account the available data on conflict-induced and disaster-induced displacement. It is estimated that millions more are displaced annually by other causes and drivers of displacement, including development projects and generalized violence. It must also be recognized that there is a need for greater research and more data on internal displacement as a result of slow-onset disasters and climate change, in order to reveal the current and future internal displacement trends and to better meet these challenges. The Special Rapporteur will continue to raise awareness of these neglected areas of internal displacement concern, as well as to advocate for national and international action to protect the human rights of persons who have been internally displaced as a result of all causes of displacement. 73. Confronted by the reality of record numbers of internally displaced persons, it is vital for the international community to maintain and intensify its generous efforts to meet the needs and protect the rights of internally displaced persons and to begin to reverse the global trends. The vision laid out at the World Humanitarian Summit for new approaches to humanitarian action is welcome and provides a positive direction of travel that stakeholders should adopt. The focus on internally displaced persons is necessary and timely, and a global target to reduce internal displacement by 50 per cent by 2030 in a safe and dignified manner provides an ambitious yet necessary stimulus. Moving from principles to action will be a difficult task ahead in order to meet this goal. This must be achieved in compliance with human rights law and through the implementation of international standards for the protection of internally displaced persons and the achievement of durable solutions. 74. As those with primary responsibility, States affected by internal displacement must recognize and better adhere to their commitments under international human rights and humanitarian law and standards, firstly to prevent internal displacement, and to respond better when displacement occurs. Where possible, shifting the focus back towards the primary responsibility of States at all phases of displacement is necessary and will allow international humanitarian partners to more rapidly move on from protracted humanitarian assistance programmes. This will allow them to focus on new, critical displacement situations in which States are unable to respond effectively, as well to undertake more strategic resilience-building and recovery activities alongside development partners. 75. The work of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and her engagement with national governments will be stepped up to assist States and other stakeholders in their efforts to meet their obligations towards internally displaced persons. As the international community brings its attention much more to large-scale movements of people across international borders, through the development of global compacts on safe, orderly and regular migration and on refugees, the Special Rapporteur urges enhanced attention to the situation of internally displaced persons, recognizing that 18

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