As the number of refugees worldwide has surged to 120 million, the vast majority, 68 million, are internally displaced people (IDPs). The remaining 52 million have crossed borders, typically to neighboring countries, seeking refuge. This year, on International Refugee Day (20 June), our focus is on IDPs, who represent the largest and fastest-growing group of displaced individuals globally. Their numbers have doubled within the last five years, highlighting an urgent need for attention and action (UNHCR 2024).
IDPs remain within their country of origin, facing displacement due to a myriad of factors such as violence, climate change, natural disasters, lack of health services, poverty, and political or religious conflict. They are often displaced by active measures from state authorities, militias, or the military, or due to a lack of successful and effective support and interventions. These challenges are compounded by inadequate financial or technical aid, and the absence of coordinated efforts to address the critical driving situations.
Access to aid for IDPs is often hindered or blocked for NGOs, CSOs, and development actors, leading to further conflicts and prolonged suffering. Sustainable solutions are rare, as the hope that these situations will be short-lived often prevents long-term planning. However, many IDPs face protracted displacement, with the average duration reaching up to 13 years. Political and economic interests frequently obstruct the implementation of effective measures, and sustainable funding is often missing.
In this context, migration has become one of the most divisive issues in societies around the world. However, the social work profession maintains a clear stance: every person, regardless of status, is entitled to the same human rights. Social work does not differentiate between refugees and non-refugees in this respect, advocating for the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals.
Effective solutions for IDPs must be eco-social, durable, and sustainable, involving co-produced efforts. The social work profession, guided by the principles of The People’s Charter for an Eco-Social World, is uniquely positioned to foster solidarity and implement these solutions. This charter underscores the importance of collective action and shared responsibility in creating a more just and sustainable world.
Social workers on the ground are tirelessly working to address the needs of IDPs, striving to implement better solutions individually, collectively, and politically. They work towards ensuring access to essential services, advocating for the rights of IDPs, and promoting social justice and equity. The profession’s core function in modern societies is to co-build peace, solidarity and resilience, making societies more inclusive and supportive of all their members.
International Refugee Day is a reminder of our shared responsibility to uphold the dignity and rights of all displaced individuals. From a social work perspective, it underscores our commitment to advocating for and supporting the most vulnerable, ensuring that no one is left behind. As we commemorate this day, we must renew our efforts to provide effective, sustainable solutions for IDPs and all displaced persons, recognising that the wellbeing of refugees and IDPs reflects our collective humanity.
The social work profession calls on governments, international organisations, and civil society to prioritise the needs of IDPs, to remove barriers to aid, and to commit to long-term, sustainable support. Only through coordinated, inclusive, and human rights-based approaches can we hope to address the root causes of displacement and to co-build a more equitable and just world for all.
Tobias Roosen, IFSW United Nations Commission