The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) across Africa has tripled over the past 15 years, driven by escalating conflicts, violence, and natural disasters, according to a report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC).
By the end of 2023, 35 million Africans were living displaced within their own countries, representing nearly half of the global IDP population, said Alexandra Bilak, IDMC’s chief.
“We have seen a tripling of the number of IDPs on the African continent over the last 15 years,” Bilak told AFP. She added, “The majority of this internal displacement is being caused by conflict and violence, but is also now triggered more and more by disasters.”
Rising conflict and violence were responsible for displacing 32.5 million Africans, with 80% of the cases concentrated in five countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, and Sudan.
Disasters, particularly floods, have become a growing cause of displacement. The number of disaster-induced displacements surged sixfold from 1.1 million in 2009 to 6.3 million in 2023. Floods accounted for more than three-quarters of these movements, while droughts made up 11%.
The report underscored the overlap between conflict, violence, and disasters, which often result in repeated and prolonged displacement. These crises disrupt livelihoods, social cohesion, and development efforts, leaving displaced communities more vulnerable.
While the African Union’s Kampala Convention—adopted in 2009—remains the only legally binding regional agreement on internal displacement, it has fallen short of resolving the crisis.
Governments face significant challenges due to rising conflicts and the increasing impacts of climate change. Bilak emphasized the need for stronger peacebuilding and diplomatic efforts, saying, “Much more has to be done when it comes to peace-building and diplomacy and conflict transformation. That is really the key of the issue.”
