RESEARCHING INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT

Researching Internal Displacement connects researchers, practitioners, policy-makers, students, artists and people from displacement-affected communities with cutting-edge research, analysis, creative materials and other resources on internal displacement. It aims to raise the profile and understanding of internal displacement and the situations faced by IDPs globally.

El Salvador. Climate change in La Danta Mocha 2024 © UNHCR/Markel Redondo

Researching Internal Displacement is also a central hub for linked international research networks on internal displacement: Internal Displacement Research Programme (IDRP); Global Engagement Network on Internal Displacement in Africa (GENIDA); Middle East Research Network on Internal Displacement (MERNID); Latin American Network on Internal Displacement (LANID); and the Health and Internal Displacement Network (HIDN).

The site provides the networks with a shared webspace and facilitates sharing, reviewing and disseminating the latest research, writing and creative materials by their membership and by others interested in internal displacement. Each network is open to new members and promotes engagement with different aspects of internal displacement research, particularly by people living in countries affected by internal displacement. All networks host regular events, promote research and publication, and feed into policy and practice

Researching Internal Displacement is an independent site managed by the leads of each network working jointly with the editors on the website Coordination Team.

LATEST PUBLICATIONS

By Corrie Sissons | Mar 5, 2026
This article explores how Market-Based Approaches can support internally displaced people by providing essential goods and food security, as well as strengthening social networks, relationships, and trust in their places of displacement. Focused on Sudan, which currently has the world's largest internal displacement crisis, this article provides evidence that Market-Based Programming (MBP) is suitable in adverse contexts. Markets often recover and resume operations before humanitarian agencies can reach affected communities. This resilience enables interventions such as supporting key businesses, using financial service providers for cash assistance, and supporting community-based mutual aid and agricultural markets. When well-managed and intentional, MBP dispels the stereotype that displaced populations are a burden on local economies. MBP not only meets the immediate needs of IDPs with speed and dignity but also supports local economies, fosters social integration, and lays the groundwork for long-term resilience and recovery amid profound uncertainty.
By Tomy Ncube and Una Murray | Mar 12, 2026
As climate impacts intensify, planned relocation is increasingly deployed as an adaptation strategy, yet outcomes for relocated communities remain consistently adverse. This paper argues that these failures stem from the treatment of planned relocation as a short-term, projectised disaster response rather than as a long-term developmental intervention. Drawing on social protection theory, this paper reconceptualises planned relocation as a form of social assistance, capable of delivering durable solutions. It demonstrates that planned relocation inherently performs preventive, protective, promotive, and potentially transformative social protection functions by minimising future climate risks, providing non-contributory transfers such as land and housing, and enabling livelihood reconstruction. However, when implemented outside formal social protection systems, these functions may collapse, often resulting in impoverishment and protracted displacement.

Our Funders

This platform was established with support from the UK Research
and Innovation Global Challenges Research Fund (AH/T005351/1).

IDP TRAINING

Our free course in ‘Internal Displacement, Conflict and Protection’

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IDRP

Internal Displacement Research Programme

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HIDN

Health and Internal Displacement Network

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GENIDA

Global Engagement
Network on Internal Displacement in Africa

Find out more

LANID

Latin American Network on Internal Displacement

Find out more

MERNID

Middle East Research Network on Internal Displacement

Find out more

IDP TRAINING

Our free course in ‘Internal Displacement, Conflict and Protection’

Find out more

IDRP

Internal Displacement Research Programme

Find out more

HIDN

Health and Internal Displacement Network

Find out more

GENIDA

Global Engagement
Network on Internal Displacement in Africa

Find out more

LANID

Latin American Network on Internal Displacement

Find out more

MERNID

Middle East Research Network on Internal Displacement

Find out more