Natural disasters and human conflict have led to a record number of people being displaced globally and in the United States in 2024. According to new research, about 66 million individuals were forced to flee within their own countries last year, with the U.S. accounting for 11 million of these internal displacements.
This marks a significant increase from previous years, with 2024 seeing the largest number of disaster-related internal displacements since tracking began in 2008. Globally, approximately 46 million people had to relocate domestically due to natural disasters, while another 20 million were displaced because of conflict or violence.
The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IMDC), an international organization that monitors displacement due to natural disasters, extreme weather, conflict, and violence, released its latest analysis in a report. The report highlights the impact of climate change on intensifying extreme weather events and the compounding effect of inadequate infrastructure and urban expansion in disaster-prone areas.
Cyclones were responsible for more than half of disaster-related movements worldwide in 2024, with hurricanes causing significant damage in the U.S. Floods accounted for 42% of disaster displacements, affecting every continent. The report also noted that preemptive evacuations played a crucial role, with at least 8.3 million movements occurring as a result.
The disproportionate impact of disaster displacements on vulnerable communities in low- and middle-income countries was also highlighted in the report. For example, catastrophic flooding in Brazil disproportionately affected Black and Indigenous communities, leading to significant displacements.
The report emphasized the need for better preparation and resilience efforts to address the rising number of displacements. It called for immediate assistance for those who have lost everything and long-term investments to tackle underlying vulnerabilities.
In addition to natural disasters, conflict zones are increasingly overlapping with areas affected by disasters, exacerbating the displacement crisis. The report pointed out that the number of countries reporting both disaster and conflict displacements has tripled since 2009.
Overall, the report underscored the complex challenges faced by millions of internally displaced individuals, with many remaining displaced for years. By the end of 2024, approximately 83.4 million people were living in displacement worldwide, with conflict displacements accounting for the majority.
Despite the increasing number of conflict-related displacements, disaster-related displacement is rising at a faster rate. The report highlighted a 29% increase in the number of people living in displacement from disasters in 2024 compared to the previous year.
The findings from the IMDC report shed light on the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address the growing displacement crisis caused by natural disasters and conflicts. As the impacts of climate change continue to unfold, proactive measures are essential to mitigate the effects on vulnerable populations and build resilience in at-risk communities.
