Internally Displaced People, 2nd Edition

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Introduction

For every person internally displaced by conflict, there is a story – 25 million different stories of fear, persecution and human suffering. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people in different corners of the world are forced from the safety of their homes and compelled to take flight. Across regions and continents, direct threats to personal security and other forms of violence oblige individuals, families and entire communities to gather what they can of their belongings – if any – and depart for uncertain destinations.

Some of these people are able to take shelter with family or friends. Others congregate in camps where they hope to find safety, food and shelter. Still others hide in forests, jungles and other inhospitable ...