Definition of Internally Displaced Persons

In situations of war or natural catastrophe it may happen that a part of the population from one country has to take refuge in another country. In this case, we are talking about refugees. However, when someone has to seek shelter within the territory national we are referring to internally displaced persons. Both the refugee and the internally displaced person is a victim of some conflict, generally due to armed confrontation, diseases, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.

Internal refugees are forced to leave their homes to find a safe place that allows them to continue with their lives

In some way, the internally displaced person is an emigrant in their own country, a dramatic and painful circumstance that implies social uprooting, marginalization and a whole series of associated problems (settlements in poor conditions, imbalances demographic, social exclusion, etc).

Relevant aspects of internally displaced persons

It is a situation that currently occurs in different enclaves of the planet (in Burma as a result of a war

civil, in Colombia due to drug trafficking and guerrillas, in Israel as a result of the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis and in several African countries as a result of different conflicts warlike).

UNHCR is the UN Agency for Refugees and also works to improve the living conditions of internally displaced persons. In this sense, internally displaced persons should be cared for in their needs through humanitarian aid, a help that is never enough to meet the most basic human needs, especially related needs with the Health, the education or the infrastructures.

According to UNHCR estimates, the total number of internally displaced people on the planet exceeds 50 million inhabitants, a figure that is higher than the Spanish population.

The case of Colombia

Colombia is a democratic country, with natural resources and with great potential as nation. Despite this, since the early 1960s Colombia has lived in a situation of conflict due to different guerrillas (especially the FARC) and drug trafficking. This circumstance has caused many victims and social instability, but it has also generated a large number of internally displaced persons. According to official estimates, it is estimated that there are more than five million people who have left their homes in Colombia.

Photos: iStock - EdStock / Joel Carillet

Issues in Internally Displaced Persons