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
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