Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID) 2023 - Highlights & Analysis

Understanding the Global Report on Internal Displacement

The Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID) is a yearly report that is published by the Norwegian Refugee Council’s Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC).

• The GRID is an extensive source of information about the global internally displaced people (IDPs), who are individuals forced to leave their homes but still remain within their country's borders.
• The report is a critical tool for policymakers, humanitarian agencies, and researchers who are working towards addressing the issues and effects of internal displacement across the globe.
• The GRID provides crucial insights into the scale, causes, and impacts of internal displacement that results from various factors such as conflicts, violence, disasters, and climate change .
• It includes data, statistics, and case studies from different regions and countries, emphasizing the social and economic effects of displacement on individuals and communities.
• The Global Report on Internal Displacement 2023 (GRID-2023) was unveiled in May 2023.

Key Insights from the Global Report on Internal Displacement 2023

• Surge in Disaster Displacement in 2022 :
  • The Global Report on Internal Displacement 2023 (GRID-2023) indicates a 40% rise in the number of individuals displaced by disasters in 2022 compared to the previous year.
  • The report underscores that 98% of the total disaster displacement was due to weather-related events, with floods and storms being the primary culprits.
  • The three-year-long La Niña phenomenon significantly contributed to the increase in weather-related disasters worldwide. Learn more about La Niña in the provided link.

• The Aftermath: Regional Displacement Statistics :
• • Pakistan:
    • In 2022, Pakistan recorded the highest number of disaster displacements worldwide, with 8.16 million people affected by floods.
    • The severe flooding in Pakistan accounted for one-fourth of the global disaster displacements.
  • Philippines: The Philippines ranked second with 5.44 million displacements due to weather-related events.
  • China: China ranked third with 3.63 million displacements.
  • India: India recorded 2.5 million disaster displacements, making it the fourth most affected country globally.
  • Nigeria: Nigeria ranked fifth with 2.4 million displacements.
• Examples of La Niña’s Impact on Displacement :
• • Countries like Pakistan, Nigeria, and Brazil witnessed record levels of flood displacement.
  • The La Niña phenomenon also resulted in the worst drought ever recorded in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya, leading to 2.1 million movements.
• Climate Change as a Significant Contributor :
• • Climate change, which leads to frequent weather-related disasters, has become the main cause of internal migration, often referred to as “climate refugees.”
  • Now, disasters displace more people than traditional reasons like conflicts and violence.
• Regional Trends :
• • Sub-Saharan Africa:
    • The region witnessed a 17% increase in internal displacements, primarily driven by a three-fold increase in disaster displacements.
    • Nigeria recorded its highest disaster displacements in a decade.
  • East Asia and the Pacific:
    • Compared to the previous year, La Niña led to fewer displacements in the region due to less intense rainy and cyclone seasons.
  • South Asia:
    • South Asia recorded 12.5 million disaster displacements in 2022, which is double the annual average.
    • The primary cause was severe and widespread flooding in Pakistan during the monsoon season.
• Overall Displacement Figures :
• • The total number of people who were displaced in search of safety and shelter in 2022 was unprecedented, reaching 60.9 million, a 60% increase from the previous year.
  • The Russia-Ukraine conflict resulted in the highest-ever recorded displacement for any country, with 16.9 million people affected.
  • The overall internal displacement in 2022 increased by 20% compared to 2021, setting a new record high.