(Ecofin Agency) - The IDMC reports that conflicts and natural disasters are the leading causes of internal displacement in Africa. In 2023, 32.5 million people were displaced by conflicts, and 6.3 million by natural disasters.

In 2023, Africa had 35 million internally displaced people (IDPs), nearly half of the global total and three times more than in 2009. This alarming statistic comes from a report released on November 26 by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC). The later attributes the increase to conflicts and natural disasters like floods and droughts.

Conflict-related displacements have more than tripled in the past 15 years, reaching 32.5 million in 2023, compared to 10.2 million in 2009. Five countries—Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, Nigeria, and Ethiopia—account for 80% of Africa’s IDPs.

Natural disasters have also caused displacement to soar, with numbers jumping sixfold from 1.1 million in 2009 to 6.3 million in 2023. Flooding alone accounts for over 75% of these displacements, while droughts cause 11%. The report notes that individuals can be displaced multiple times for different reasons.

Alexandra Bilak, IDMC’s director, described the situation for Africa’s displaced population as "absolutely critical, but not hopeless." She emphasized that many governments are actively working to address the root causes of displacement and stressed the importance of continued international support to bolster these efforts.

The Kampala Convention, adopted in 2009 by the African Union, is the only legally binding framework for protecting IDPs. However, its implementation has been slow due to some countries not ratifying it and challenges in incorporating it into national laws, according to the International Red Cross.

The IDMC urged African nations to ramp up disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, and peacebuilding efforts to tackle displacement trends. Improving data collection and coordination is also essential, the report stated.

In the DRC, several collaborative efforts with humanitarian organizations are underway to support and integrate IDPs. These initiatives include humanitarian aid, engaging local communities, and conflict prevention programs aimed at enhancing safety and well-being.