publication

Regional institutional responses to internal displacement

Authors:
Deborah Casalin
Allehone M. ABEBE
2026

In many areas of the world that have faced massive internal displacement crises, regional organizations have played significant roles in supporting states’ responses, protecting internally displaced persons (IDPs), and working towards solutions in various ways. Organizations such as the African Union, Council of Europe, European Union, and Organization of American States have traditionally been the most active in developing specific internal displacement policies, as well as responses across domains such as crisis management, human rights protection, and humanitarian and development aid. Increasing concerns over the effects of climate change, including disasters and related displacement, have also led to relevant cooperation initiatives in other regional organizations. This accumulation of policies and practices has resulted in strong regional contributions to internal displacement response in the areas of early warning, normative development, human rights protection, and engagement of civil society and IDPs.