A new report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reveals that 60% of people displaced by conflict or disaster prefer to remain where they have settled rather than return to their communities of origin. The findings, published in the second edition of the PROGRESS report, provide critical insights into the global state of solutions to internal displacement.
The study, conducted in partnership with Georgetown University, examines data from over 58.5 million people displaced within their own countries. The report challenges the assumption that displaced persons always prefer to return home. In fact, many displaced individuals, even early in their displacement, choose to stay where they are.
“This report addresses a gap in understanding what displaced people need and want.” Ugochi Daniels, IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, said this. “IOM’s extensive data collection over the past two decades provides valuable evidence to guide solutions.”
KEY FINDINGS FROM THE PROGRESS REPORT
The PROGRESS report is based on over 116,000 household surveys and 463 qualitative consultations in 12 countries. It provides an in-depth look at the factors influencing the choices of displaced persons:
- Safety is the Top Priority: Among those displaced for more than five years, 96% want to stay in their current locations. Their primary reason for staying is safety. 71% of displaced people who feel secure prefer to stay. Those who feel unsafe are more likely to return to their original communities.
- Economic Opportunities Matter: Livelihoods and employment become more important over time. Among individuals displaced for five years or more, 25% cite economic opportunities as their main priority. In contrast, only 18% of those displaced for less than a year do so.
- Disasters vs. Conflict: People displaced by conflict are more likely to consider returning home than those displaced by disasters. Yet, safety, stability, and livelihood opportunities stay the dominant factors for both groups.
THE NEED FOR TAILORED SOLUTIONS
The PROGRESS report highlights the importance of understanding the individual preferences of displaced persons when developing long-term solutions. “This collaboration with IOM has been a unique opportunity to combine field data collection with academic skill,” said Dr. Elizabeth Ferris, Director of the Institute for the Study of International Migration at Georgetown University. “We hope this report will guide stakeholders toward more sustainable solutions.”
MOVING FORWARD: ADVANCING THE ACTION AGENDA ON INTERNAL DISPLACEMENT
The findings of the PROGRESS initiative are crucial for advancing the Secretary General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement. The report equips humanitarian and development organizations with the knowledge needed to address internal displacement more effectively. It also create lasting solutions for those affected by crisis.
