Internal Displacement Monitoring CentreEdit
The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) is a leading research and data-collection hub focused on the phenomenon of people displaced within their own countries. Based in Geneva, it operates under the umbrella of the Norwegian Refugee Council (Norwegian Refugee Council), but it presents its findings as policy-relevant analysis intended for governments, international organizations, and civil society. Its work centers on improving protection and finding durable solutions for internally displaced persons, or IDPs, by providing rigorous data, analysis, and practical guidance.
IDMC defines internal displacement as the involuntary movement of people within the borders of a country or territory who have not crossed an international boundary, and it follows the definitions and standards often associated with the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement). The organization emphasizes that IDPs remain under the sovereignty and protection obligations of their own governments, while also highlighting the role of international actors in supporting protection, humanitarian assistance, and durable solutions. Its research and data are widely cited by policymakers, researchers, journalists, and practitioners working on humanitarian response, development planning, and disaster risk management.
IDMC’s core aim is to turn information into protection and practical action. It produces the Global Report on Internal Displacement (Global Report on Internal Displacement), maintains a Displacement Data Portal, and collaborates with national authorities, regional bodies, and global institutions to improve the accuracy and timeliness of displacement data. By tracing drivers—such as conflict and violence on the one hand, and disasters and climate-related shocks on the other—IDMC seeks to illuminate how IDPs are affected, where protection gaps exist, and what durable solutions look like in different contexts. Its work spans both conflict-induced displacement and displacement caused by disasters, appreciating how climate change can intensify weather-related events that trigger population movements, even within borders. For broader context, readers can consult Disaster displacement and Climate change as related subjects.
History
IDMC traces its roots to the late 1990s, when the growing scale of internal displacement and the need for standardized data prompted the creation of a dedicated monitoring center within the humanitarian community. Since its founding in 1998, it has developed tools and products designed to inform policy and practice. The publication of the Global Report on Internal Displacement has become a central annual benchmark for understanding trends, drivers, and consequences of internal displacement. Over time, IDMC expanded its data infrastructure with online portals and country-focused pages, enabling researchers and decision-makers to access up-to-date figures, sources, and analysis. The Centre’s work is conducted in close collaboration with other actors in the humanitarian ecosystem, including the United Nations system and national authorities.
Activities and data collection
Data sources and methods: IDMC triangulates information from governments, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, researchers, and field reports to document internal displacement. It adheres to standardized definitions and strives to minimize double counting and gaps in coverage. Its methodology is anchored in the broader humanitarian data community, including the framework of the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
Data products: The organization publishes the Global Report on Internal Displacement and maintains a Displacement Data Portal that presents country-level and regional trends. It also produces policy briefs, analytical papers, and situation summaries aimed at translating data into protection actions and policy recommendations. These products are used by ministries of interior, disaster-management authorities, and international donors.
Drivers and trends: IDMC’s analyses highlight the dual nature of displacement drivers—conflict and violence, on one side, and disasters and climate-related events, on the other—while noting the growing importance of resilience-building, risk reduction, and adaptation measures. Its reporting draws attention to protection gaps, such as access to assistance, protection from violence, and the availability of durable solutions for IDPs. For context on related sectors, see Disaster risk reduction and Climate change.
Partnerships and influence: As part of a broader humanitarian ecosystem, IDMC collaborates with bodies such as UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies, researchers, and national authorities to improve data quality and practical response. Its findings influence policy debates on displacement, humanitarian funding, and resilience planning.
Influence and policy relevance
IDMC positions its work as a bridge between data and action. Its analyses inform governments about risk, protection needs, and the effectiveness of response mechanisms, and they assist international organizations in prioritizing funding, capacity-building, and technical support. The organization also contributes to the public debate on how societies manage internal mobility, settlement patterns, and local governance in the aftermath of displacement events. Readers may encounter IDMC materials in conjunction with discussions on Migration patterns, Humanitarian aid, and Disaster displacement management.
Controversies and debates
Data quality and scope: Critics sometimes question the completeness and comparability of IDMC’s data, especially in areas with restricted access or limited reporting. Proponents respond that even with gaps, the organization’s trend analyses and cross-country comparisons add value by revealing broader patterns and protection gaps that would otherwise remain opaque.
Policy framing and sovereignty: Like many humanitarian institutes, IDMC operates in a politically sensitive space where protecting IDPs intersects with national sovereignty and security concerns. defenders argue that data-driven scrutiny helps governments fulfill their protection obligations in practical ways, while skeptics warn against overreliance on international narratives that may be perceived as external interference or pressure on domestic policy.
Resource allocation and aid governance: Some observers worry that the emphasis on displacement data can become a lever for international donors to justify more funding or influence policy directions. Supporters contend that reliable data is essential for efficient aid delivery, accountability, and the pursuit of durable solutions.
Woke criticisms and related debates: In public discourse, some commentators frame humanitarian data and protection work as part of broader cultural or political projects aimed at expanding international norms, while others dismiss these critiques as overstated or misapplied to the core mission of protection and practical solutions for IDPs. From a practical, field-oriented perspective, proponents argue that IDMC’s purpose is to improve on-the-ground outcomes—safety, access to services, and eventual durable solutions—rather than to advance any ideological program. They contend that the organization’s focus on state responsibility, governance, and local capacity-building remains aligned with pragmatic national interests, long-term stability, and the efficient use of resources.
Notable publications and projects
Global Report on Internal Displacement (Global Report on Internal Displacement): The flagship annual assessment that synthesizes data, drivers, and policy implications across many countries and regions.
Displacement Data Portal: An online platform aggregating displacement data and country pages to support researchers and policymakers with accessible, up-to-date information.
Country and regional briefs: Targeted analyses that contextualize IDP situations within specific political, social, and economic environments, often informing national protection strategies and disaster-management planning.
Thematic papers on protection, durable solutions, and prevention: IDMC regularly releases analytical work intended to support governments in strengthening legal and practical protection for IDPs and in pursuing durable solutions such as voluntary return, local integration, or other appropriate arrangements.