Strengthening the Humanitarian Response to Internally Displaced Populations – 2022-2023

The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has reached over 59 million globally and doubled over the last ten years with women children and marginalized groups often facing the greatest impacts. Conflict violence and natural disasters are internal displacement’s largest drivers. A common thread across these crises is the significant number of IDPs in protracted situations and the lack of progress on self-sufficiency and durable solutions. This overstretched the humanitarian system’s capacity to support IDPs. This project contributes to Canada's support of the Office of the Special Adviser (OSA) to the UN Secretary-General on Solutions to Internal Displacement. With GAC's support the OSA promotes a more effective transparent and accountable global humanitarian system in response to internal displacement. The Office of the Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement mobilizes action on protracted displacement. It catalyzes a change in approach in how the UN system and other actors engage on this issue. Canada directs its contributions to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA which serves as Secretariat in supporting the OSA. Project activities include: (1) taking preventive actions on displacement especially on Climate Change; (2) promoting more solutions-friendly humanitarian-lead responses to displacement; (3) modelling development-lead solutions pathways; and (4) creating the enabling internal and external environment or architecture for a new approach to solutions.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased enhanced coordinated and coherent UN support to Member States’ efforts to advance durable solutions to internal displacement collaboratively and efficiently; (2) increased political will through high-level global advocacy and field visits and advocacy support at country-level in discussions with national authorities; (3) strengthened engagement of development actors including International Financial Institutions around durable solutions; and (4) increased collaboration within the UN system to effectively address durable solutions within its existing processes and mechanisms. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.