Migration and Displacement
Reducing Vulnerability, Enhancing Resilience
The world is witnessing record levels of migration and displacement, posing some of the most significant humanitarian challenges of modern time. Across the globe, people who migrate or are displaced from their homes face unacceptable risks and too often are deprived of the humanitarian assistance and protection they need to ensure their safety, dignity and rights.
People move for different reasons: conflict and violence, crisis and emergencies, persecution, human rights violations, poverty, joblessness, hopelessness, a lack of basic services or food insecurity. Extreme weather events displace millions from their homes each year and an increasing number of people are escaping the impacts of climate change. The most vulnerable are often fleeing a combination of these factors. For many, they are simply seeking a better or safer life.
Nearly 50% of are female and around 14% are children and youth. Data source: UNDESA 2019/MigrationDataPortal2019
Of those forced from their homes due to persecution, war and violence. 41.3 million people were estimated to be living in an internal displacement and 25.9 million are refugees. Data source : IDMC/UNHCR 2019
Extreme weather events, like floods, storms and earthquakes, devastate communities and uproot millions annually, often leading to long-term displacement. Data Source: IDMC / NRC 2019
IFRC has a long history of providing humanitarian aid and protection for migrants and displaced people, in countries of origin, transit and destination, whatever their legal status. With a presence in more than 190 countries, Red Cross and Red Crescent teams annually assist millions of refugees and asylum seekers, victims of trafficking, unaccompanied children, labour migrants and people displaced by disasters and the impact of climate change.
IFRC’s work and support for migrants and displaced people focuses on saving lives, preventing suffering, reducing vulnerability and risk, restoring dignity and enhancing resilience.
We advocate for the needs, rights and safety of migrants and displaced people, and unhindered access to essential services. We work with host communities and support initiatives that promote understanding, interaction and social inclusion. We also help migrants and displaced people rebuild their lives and livelihoods and find sustainable solutions.
Our strength lies in our network of over 13 million trusted volunteers and their access to vulnerable migrants and displaced people, wherever they are on their journeys.
