India’s Internal Displacement Crisis
In 2024, India faced its highest recorded internal displacements in over a decade. A report by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre revealed that 5.4 million people were displaced due to disasters like floods and storms. This alarming statistic marks the growing impact of climate change and violence on the population.
Key Drivers of Displacement
Floods were the primary cause of internal displacement in India, accounting for two-thirds of the total. Climate change, deforestation, and poor infrastructure contributed to the increased risk. Notably, Assam experienced 2.5 million displacements from severe flooding, marking the worst in over ten years.
Impact of Cyclones
Cyclones also played a major role in displacements. Cyclone Dana alone caused over a million evacuations in Odisha and West Bengal. Pre-emptive evacuations were coordinated by state authorities following alerts from the India Meteorological Department, demonstrating effective disaster management.
Regional Displacement Statistics
West Bengal recorded 208,000 displacements due to Cyclone Remal. In Tripura, the monsoon season brought record rainfall, resulting in 315,000 displacements from landslides. These figures indicate the severity of natural disasters in the region and their impact on local communities.
Definition of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
Internally Displaced Persons are individuals forced to flee their homes due to conflict or disasters without crossing international borders. As of the end of 2024, the global number of IDPs reached a staggering 83.4 million, with India contributing to this figure.
Global Context of Internal Displacement
Globally, conflict and violence displaced 73.5 million people, while 9.8 million were displaced by disasters. The rise in IDPs reflects ongoing conflicts in various regions, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ukraine.
Solutions and Recommendations
To address the growing crisis, governments must implement policies that resolve conflicts and reduce poverty. Humanitarian aid is crucial but insufficient alone. Sustainable solutions require a multi-faceted approach that includes disaster risk reduction and community integration.
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