Reactions from UN

Following 18 months of consultations, research and analysis, the Panel has officially submitted its report to the UN Secretary-General on 29 September 2021. Below is a snapshot of the initial reactions from the UN Secretary-General and UN agencies:

UN Secretary-General

29 September 2021, New York

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on the High-Level Panel Report on Internal Displacement

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General

Today, the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement formally submitted its report to the Secretary-General, following 18 months of research and consultations. During a virtual meeting earlier today, the Panel Co-chairs, Federica Mogherini and Donald Kaberuka, presented the report’s findings and recommendations to the Secretary-General, calling for action from States, civil society, the international community and the private sector to address internal displacement. The Secretary-General expressed his deep gratitude to the Panel for its work and to the Co-Chairs for shepherding this process and for presenting the Panel report. 

United Nations

29 September 2021, Geneva

IOM Welcomes High-Level Panel's Recommendations on Internal Displacement

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) welcomes the launch of the report,  Shining a Light on Internal Displacement: A Vision for the  Future,  by the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement. IOM commends the United Nations Secretary-General’s initiative in establishing the High Level-Panel and tasking it with recommending solutions to the global internal displacement crisis.

Photo: UNDP/Tobin Jones

29 September 2021, New York

UNDP: Global displacement crisis needs development solutions to prevent humanitarian impact

A report by UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement offers the best hope to reverse the growing global crisis with its recommendations for an increase in development programming, says the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

29 September 2021

Internal displacement: A development challenge with a humanitarian face

Asako Okai, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director, UNDP Crisis Bureau

When we think of forced displacement, we first imagine refugees crossing international borders. Yet, the majority of people fleeing from their homes – almost six out of 10 in fact – remain within their own countries. This lack of awareness of the true scale of internal displacement hints at an even greater shortfall: our current approach is not doing enough to reduce the numbers of people being displaced, to protect those forced to flee, or to create the right conditions for their return or resettlement.

29 September 2021, Nairobi

UN-Habitat strengthens support to cities facing influx of internally displaced people

On the eve of the report by the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement, UN-Habitat renews its commitment to furthering the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals by offering governments practical expertise in urban internal displacement contexts and in durable solutions.

 

“UN-Habitat has been supporting countries and cities facing urban internal displacement challenges for a long time. The agency’s expertise on rapid urban population growth in crisis contexts helps to ensure that people in vulnerable situations, including IDPs and host populations have improved access to land, housing and services,” said Filiep Decorte, head of UN-Habitat’s Programme Development Branch.

Photo: UNHCR/John Wessels

29 September 2021, Geneva

UNHCR echoes call for global action to resolve internal displacement

Today, more than 48 million people remain forcibly displaced within their own countries due to conflict and violence, with the majority women and children.

Amid ongoing conflict and persecution and a global deficit of peace, the rate of internal displacement is on a worrying trajectory.