The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Mid-Year Trends 2021 Report has put a spotlight on a pressing issue – internal displacement. The report reveals that nearly 51 million people across 33 countries were internally displaced due to conflict and violence during the first half of the year. Additionally, the combination of conflict, Covid-19, poverty, food insecurity, and climate emergencies has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis for these displaced individuals. Regrettably, most are hosted in developing regions, with Africa being the region hosting the most displaced persons.
Understanding Internal Displacement
Internal displacement refers to situations where individuals are forced to leave their homes but remain within their country’s borders. An estimated millions are uprooted from their homes or habitual residences annually due to conflict, violence, development projects, disasters, and climate change.
Key elements of internal displacement include the forced nature of the person’s movement and the fact that they stay within internationally recognised state borders. This distinguishes the displaced from economic migrants, who migrate voluntarily, and refugees who cross international borders.
Difference Between IDPs and Refugees
According to the 1951 Refugee Convention, a “refugee” is an individual who has faced persecution and been forced to leave his native country, crossing an international border. Internally Displaced Persons, unlike refugees, don’t have a specific international convention protecting them. No single agency or organization has been designated as the global lead on protection and assistance. The United Nations Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement are, however, available.
Challenges Borne by IDPs
IDPs face various battles including threats of physical attack, sexual or gender-based violence, separation from family, and deprivation of necessities such as shelter, food, and health services. Often, they also lose property, land, or access to livelihoods.
Internal Displacement in India
In India, estimating the number of IDPs presents its own set of problems. For a country so vast and lacking a central authority responsible for coordinating data from central and state governments, regular monitoring is impractical. The Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID 2020) indicates that approximately five million people were displaced in India in 2019 – the highest globally.
India lacks a national policy and legal institutional framework to handle either refugees or IDPs, with the granting of refugee status discretionarily handled by political authorities. Staggeringly, India has not ratified the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol and restricts UNHCR access to most refugee groups.
Factors contributing to internal displacement in India range from secessionist movements, identity-based autonomy movements, localized violence, and environmental and development-induced displacement.
Looking Forward: The Need for an Inclusive Policy
India needs to introduce migration-centric policies and institutional mechanisms for inclusive growth and development, and to curb distress induced migration. Providing justice through provision of amenities and social securities for the displaced population must be prioritized, considering their issues such as inadequate housing, low-paid and insecure work, and increased vulnerability to trafficking and sex exploitation. This pressing crisis merits urgent attention and action.
