to the left is a photo of a woman carrying a child on her back and to the right is a photo of a person extending their hand into the distance cupping the sun in the horizon.

Action Agenda

Action Agenda Commitmments

Since the Secretary-General (SG) launched his Action Agenda on Internal Displacement in June 2022, twenty-two UN agencies have begun work to advance the 31 commitments made towards the inter-linked goals of improved prevention-of, response-to and solutions-for internal displacement.

Collective work by these agencies is underway to address the gaps and challenges identified by the High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement, and ultimately bring about fundamental changes in the way we address the growing displacement crisis.

 

* PDF version of the "Action Agenda on Internal Displacement: Core Commitments" is available here

** An overview of anticipated Action Agenda deliverables can be found here [pdf]

 

icon with illustration of a group of peopleGROUP 2: Commitments related to RC Leadership
Convener; Development Coordination Office (DCO)

 

The Action Agenda emphasized the RCs role as the UN’s lead on solutions at the country level, requesting UN agencies and entities to offer full collaboration, expertise, and assistance to RCs at country, regional and global level. In October 2022, a joint meeting took place between the Steering Group and RCs of the pilot countries. In May 2023, the Secretary-General held a virtual meeting with the RCs of the pilot countries, to offer support and guidance. OSA and DCO have ongoing regular and strong engagement with the RCs in priority countries on the solutions agenda.

A ‘UN Solutions Advisers Deployment Facility on Strengthening UN and National Capacities for Solutions to Internal Displacement’ administered by UNDP was established in October 2022, drawing from prior experience that dedicated (time-bound) capacity within the RC’s office has been instrumental to coordinate and advance solutions work at the country level. So far, funds have been committed for Solutions Advisers through this and other mechanisms for all pilot countries, apart from Vanuatu. Support for Solutions Advisers has been provided through contributions from France, the EU, the UK, Norway and Switzerland.

An updated repository of existing guidance, tools and best practices related to Solutions has been added to the UNSDG Knowledge Portal Page on People on the Move. This will be used for knowledge management to ensure access to a comprehensive and continuously updated set of resources, policies guidance and best practices on solutions to displacement for RCs and UNCTs.

 
 

5

Designate UN Resident Coordinators to serve as the UN's lead on solutions at the country level, including to: proactively engage Governments on this issue; ensure solutions are reflected in UNSDCFs and HRPs; ensure a dedicated and costed solutions strategy is developed as needed; and ensure relevant and inclusive coordination mechanisms are in place.

UN Agencies/entities: DCO, IOM, OCHA, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN HABITAT, UN Women

 
 

6

Provide additional support to UN Resident Coordinators through ensuring they can draw on advice and support from the global and regional levels and - where relevant - dedicated capacity at the country level.

UN Agenciesentities: DCO, IOM, OCHA, OHCHR, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNOPS, UN HABITAT

 

icon with an illustration of a building that says UNGROUP 3: Commitments related to UN Engagement
Convener; Office of the Special Adviser (OSA)

 

12 UN agencies across the humanitarian, development and peace spectrum have committed to review their work on internal displacement and solutions and reinforce internal capacities and engagement on solutions via a series of entity-specific ‘institutional plans’. Eight plans have been completed – DCO, FAO, IOM, UNDP, UN-Habitat, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP - and four more are underway – DPPA, ILO, OCHA and OHCHR. A number of agencies have integrated solutions to internal displacement in their corporate strategic policies and documents, eg. UNHCR’s Strategic Directions 2022 – 2026, and OCHA’s Strategic Priorities 2023 - 2026. The actionable commitments from these plans and strategies will contribute to the shift and elevated attention to internal displacement. The Special Adviser convened a meeting in October 2023 for organizations with institutional plans to consider how they can fit together to reflect a coherent UN approach to this issue.

The Leaving No One Behind – Internal Displacement Solutions Fund was launched in August 2023, to serve as a source of catalytic funding for solutions-focused programming identified by UN Country Teams. So far, nine joint programmes have been approved for funds from the IDSF. The stand-alone fund is hosted by the Multi-Purpose Trust Fund office, with a governance structure composed of Steering Group members and donors. Germany, Norway and Switzerland have so far committed USD 14.1 million to the Fund, with more donors expressing interest.

 
 

4

Strengthen UN leadership and accountability on internal displacement by appointing a time-bound Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement to work in concert with an inter-agency Steering Group.

UN agencies/entities: DCO, OCHA, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF
 
 

7

Task UN development, peacebuilding, humanitarian, human rights, and DRR and climate change actors to develop global institutional plans, by the end of 2022, for how they will reinforce their internal capacities and engagement on solutions to internal displacement.

UN Agencies/entities: DCO, FAO, IOM, OCHA, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN HABITAT, WFP

 
 

10

Host a dedicated thematic window for solutions to internal displacement within the UN Joint SDG Fund that supports joint, solutions-focused programmes identified by UNCTs.

UN Agencies/entities: IOM, UNCDF, UNHCR, UNOPS, UN Women

 

icon with an illustration of a bag with a dollar signGROUP 4: Commitments related to solutions financing
Convener; Office of the Special Adviser (OSA)

 

The Special Adviser has held strategic dialogues with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to advocate for internal displacement solutions to feature more prominently in their institutional strategies, data and analytics and investments. Several high-level meetings have taken place with the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, IMF, Inter-American Development Bank and African Development Bank, including a meeting with members of the WB Board of Executive Directors in July. Following a high-level meeting with the African Development Bank in July, a roadmap is being developed with the African Development Bank to identify entry points for IDPs in programming; enhanced data and analytics; and to build awareness and capacity within the Bank. The OSA has a dedicated Development Finance expert who in addition to supporting global strategic engagement, has commenced work towards costing solutions strategies within the pilot countries, with a support mission already completed to Colombia, and Iraq.

The Office has also convened a Development Finance Expert Coordination Group, bringing together development finance stakeholders to support better strategies and coordination for programming and ultimately financing for solutions. The Group membership includes bilateral agencies, multilateral and national development banks, private sector, UN agencies and IFIs. It will consider policy approaches, and also adopt a practical country-focused approach targeting the initial 15 pilot countries.

 
 

8

Work with development financing partners to ensure solutions are pursued proactively and systematically as part of development financing, based on analytics including socioeconomic data, and incentivize the inclusion of action on internal displacement within national and local development plans and associated budgeting.

UN Agencies/entities: UNCDF, UNDP, UNHCR, UNMAS, UN HABITAT

 
 

9

Convene an ad hoc forum of relevant development finance actors and affected States to explore how catalytic financing could be made more readily available for solutions and, by the end of September 2022, agree on the most appropriate model and expedite its establishment.

UN Agencies/entities: UNCDF, UNHCR, UNMAS, UN HABITAT

 

icon with illustration of a handshakeGROUP 5: Commitments related to private sector engagement
Convener; Office of the Special Adviser (OSA)

 

11

The UN will work with relevant partners to identify three to four contexts where there are opportunities to pilot means of strengthening engagement with the private sector, working with UN Resident Coordinators.

UN Agencies/entities: ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UNHCR

 

icon with illustration of an arrow going upGROUP 6: Commitments related to data
Convener; International Organization for Migration (IOM)

 

In March 2023, the Data for Solutions to Internal Displacement working group completed its task under commitment 13 and shared a proposal to address gaps, standardize analysis approaches, and increase national ownership of data for solutions. The proposed framework will be tested in the pilot countries to reach a final agreed model by the end of 2024.

 
 

12

Support States to put in place relevant mechanisms to collect, manage and use internal displacement data in line with the International Recommendation on IDP Statistics and other relevant international standards.

UN Agencies/entities: IOM, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNMAS, UNOPS, UN HABITAT
NGOs: IDMC, Impact Initiatives

 
 

13

Convene a time-bound task force of relevant data actors that will examine opportunities and barriers to more effective use of data for solutions and, by the end of September 2022, put forward a proposal for a fit-for-purpose process or coordination model to address data-specific issues and gaps.

UN Agencies/entities: FAO, IOM, OCHA, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNMAS, UN HABITAT

NGOs: IDMC, Impact Initiatives

 

icon with illustration of a speech bubbleGROUP 7: Commitments related to prevention of displacement crises, focusing on conflict/HR violations
Convener; UN Development Programme (UNDP)

 

Training modules on prevention and internal displacement for UN and partner staff are being developed, including as part of the UNDP Prevention Academy. UNDP and OHCHR are also working together to identify a selection of countries where internal displacement can feature within country dialogues taking place as part of the SG’s Call to Action for Human Rights.

 
 

14

Work with Governments, regional organizations, local communities and civil society to address the root causes of displacement and to promote peacebuilding, social cohesion and mediation that considers displacement risks (and, where present, includes IDPs).

UN Agencies/entities: DPO DPPA, FAO, IOM, Office Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect, OHCHR, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF UNMAS, UN Women

 
 

15

To reduce risks of displacement associated with human rights violations and conflict, drive forward implementation of the Call to Action for Human Rights and address displacement specifically in my forthcoming Agenda for Protection.

UN Agencies/entities: DPO, DPPA, IOM, Office Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect, OHCHR, UNDP, UNHCR, UNMAS

 
 

16

When there are early signs of conflict, renewed violence or threats to civilians, mobilize rapid action to support de-escalation, political negotiation and conflict resolution, and systematically address internal displacement as part of these efforts.

UN Agencies/entities: DPO, DPPA, IOM, Office Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect, UNDP, UNHCR, UNMAS

 
 

17

Advocate with Governments to put in place policies and measures to promote the protection of civilians in situations of conflict and violence and reduce displacement risks in line with IHL.

UN Agencies/entities: DPO, DPPA, OCHA, Office Genocide Prevention and Responsibility to Protect, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNMAS

 

icon with illustration of a house next to water and air wavesGROUP 8: Commitments related to prevention of displacement crises, focusing on climate change and disasters
Convener; International Organization for Migration (IOM)

 

Work is underway to ensure that displacement is addressed more systematically as part of climate work. A consortium of agencies led by IOM, with engagement of DPO, DPPA, IOM, OCHA, UNDP, UNOPS, UNICEF, UNEP, UNDRR, UNFCCC, UNHCR and WFP have developed unified and coordinated UN messaging and advocacy on climate-related displacement, to amplify in broader climate work, which will be used to advocate at key events, to support RC work at country level, and to share with donors.

The Special Adviser and his team have participated in key events to highlight climate-internal displacement issues, including the Glasgow Dialogue, the Climate and Human Mobility thematic event of the Global Forum on Migration and Development, and on the sidelines of the meeting of the Transitional Committee on Loss and Damages. Joint planning and preparation is taking place for COP28 including a pavilion on climate and mobility, coordinated by IOM. An advocacy paper related to the USD 100 billion climate finance commitment to support developing countries on adaptation and disaster is close to finalization, highlighting internal displacement. Key messages on displacement prevention will also be developed to incorporate in broader advocacy efforts being led by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. Research is also underway to assess the implementation of the UNFCCC Task Force on Displacement recommendations in the 15 Action Agenda pilot countries. Advocacy with pilot countries is also taking place to integrate displacement risk into National Adaptation Plans.

 
 

18

Advocate strongly for States to deliver on the $100 billion climate finance commitment to support developing countries and to dedicate at least half of these funds to climate change adaptation and resilience.

UN Agencies/entities: IOM, OCHA, UNDP, UNHCR, UNOPS

 
 

19

Address displacement proactively and systematically as part of the UN’s work on climate change, including by supporting the work on the Task Force on Displacement under the Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage.

UN Agencies/entities: DPO, DPPA, IOM, OHCHR, UNDP, UNFCCC, UNHCR, UNICEF

 

icon with illustration of a notepad and penGROUP 9: Commitments on understanding risk intersection, planning & financing
Convener; UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

 

In May 2023 the Political Declaration of the midterm review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction calls upon States to strengthen comprehensive disaster risk governance, highlighting the specific risk of disaster displacement.

Under the leadership of UNDRR, DRR actors are promoting more holistic understanding of displacement and risk intersections. In March 2023, UN entities engaged in the UN Plan of Action on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience agreed that internal displacement will feature in related mandatory reporting processes. UN entities will report annually on how they apply the Action Agenda commitments related to the Sendai framework in their progammes, including technical and policy support being provided to countries on disaster risk and displacement.

A new tracking system to record and analyze hazardous events and disaster loss and damages is due to be launched in November 2023 by UNDRR, WMO and UNDP. The system is being developed in consultation with IOM and IDMC to integrate data and displacement related indicators. The system of standard metrics and indicators will support state capacity to collect, report and analyze disaster displacement impacts linked to Sendai Framework reporting. It will also enhance understanding of displacement and risk intersection, including with conflict and the impacts of climate change.

A mapping and analysis has commenced of human mobility-related provisions within disaster risk reduction (DRR) laws, strategies and policies at national and regional and levels, to offer good practice, and provide guidance to states in a partnership including UNHCR, UNHDRR, the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD), IOM, UNDP and others.

In collaboration with partners, UNDRR will be piloting a scorecard of displacement indicators to support local governments to identify gaps in their disaster displacement policies and programmes in Kenya and Iraq. IOM and UNDRR have already piloted the scorecard in Trinidad and Tobago (Port of Spain) in May 2022 and in Brazil (Recife) in April 2023. To ensure continued dissemination of the NRC, PDD and UNDRR-developed ‘Words into Action’ guidance on disaster displacement through the guide, checklist and eLearning course, a Training of Trainers is being developed and will be rolled out from the end of October.

Advocacy, data and guidance on disaster displacement is being integrated within the framework of the Early Warnings for All initiative (EW4ALL), to scale up the inclusion of internal displacement in early action frameworks in EW4ALL and Action Agenda pilot countries. Displacement will feature as a key theme within the new Risk Knowledge Handbook being developed for EW4ALL by the CIMA Foundation, and in the 2023 report on the global status of multi-hazard early warning systems to be launched at COP28.

 
 

20

Support Governments to ensure climate risks are integrated into policies and investment decision-making, and to ensure that displacement risks and associated protection needs are systematically considered within policies, strategies and plans relevant to DRR, climate change action, urban planning and development, including by assisting in drafting or revising the policies in line with the State's commitments under the SDGs, the New Urban Agenda, the Sendai Framework and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

UN Agencies/entities: DPO, DPPA, IOM, UNDP, UNDRR, UNEP, UNFCCC, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP

 
 

21

Advocate for donors and development finance actors to utilize data and analysis to dramatically scale up investments in forecast-based financing and anticipatory action while continuing to support broader early warning, DRR, humanitarian assistance and community resilience programmes, and to ensure countries can access this finance.

UN Agencies/entities: IOM, OCHA, UNDP, UNDRR, UNEP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNOPS, WFP

 
 

22

UN agencies and entities with expertise on DRR, climate change, human rights, humanitarian affairs, development and peacebuilding will work within their organizations and together to promote holistic understanding of displacement and risk intersections, including on the intersection of conflict and the impacts of climate change, and they will support UNCTs and HCTs to reflect this in their work.

UN Agencies/entities: DPO, DPPA, IOM, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN Women, WFP

 

icon with illustration of hands cradling a circleGROUP 10: Commitments to advocacy for better protection and assistance of IDPs
Convener; (Jointly with Group 11) UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

 

Since January 2022, new national, sub-national laws, policies and strategies providing protection and assistance to IDPs have been passed in the Philippines, Mexico, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Honduras and Chad. A detailed report launched in late 2022 by UNHCR in collaboration with the Global Protection Cluster showcased 113 IDP specific instruments in 46 countries and additional instruments at national and sub-national level. To support knowledge sharing between States on implementing laws and policies on internal displacement UNHCR and the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally displaced Persons convened a peer-to-peer Cross-Regional Forum at the International Institute of Humanitarian Law in June 2023.

The 25th anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement offered the opportunity in April 2023 to raise attention to the rights of IDPs through a call to action to end the curse of internal displacement by the Special Rapporteur and the Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement. The Special Rapporteur also called attention to the issue during a global event hosted with UNHCR and the Global Protection Cluster, and members of the IDP Protection Expert Group (IPEG). In ongoing work to advocate with states for better protection and assistance for IDPs, the outgoing Special Rapporteur completed country visits to Japan and Mexico in 2022, before handing over to the new Special Rapporteur who has issued numerous communications in 2023 addressing IDP human rights issues.

 
 

23

Call on States to protect the rights and respond to the needs of their displaced citizens and residents in line with the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and relevant laws and policy frameworks, such as the Kampala Convention.

UN Agencies/entities: ILO, IOM, OCHA, OHCHR, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNMAS

 
 

24

Advocate for States to work proactively to ensure IDPs of all ages, genders and diversities have access to public systems and services.

UN Agencies/entities: ILO, IOM, UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNMAS

 
 

25

Strongly advocate for unimpeded humanitarian access, and continue to provide neutral, impartial and independent protection and assistance to crisis-affected populations when Governments are unable or unwilling to respond.

UN Agencies/entities: IOM, OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNMAS

 
 

26

Work with donors and UN agencies on strengthening the effectiveness of financing modalities, including in implementing Grand Bargain commitments.

UN Agencies/entities: UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNMAS

 

icon with illustration of institutionsGROUP 11: Commitments related to institutional strengthening/accountability on protection & assistance of IDPs
Convener; (Jointly with Group 10) UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

 

The IASC review of humanitarian response to internal displacement is close to finalization, with country visits completed in DRC, Ethiopia, Honduras, Mozambique, Nigeria and Yemen. A final report is on track for the start of 2024. The review is re-visiting current approaches and will in its final recommendations address several questions relating to the Action Agenda including enhanced participation, inclusion in national systems, localization, financing, and laying foundations for solutions earlier in the response.

 
 

27

Complete in early 2023 the independent review of humanitarian response to internal displacement currently being commissioned by the IASC, and act on its findings and recommendations.

UN Agencies/entities: FAO, IOM, OCHA, OHCHR, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNMAS, UN HABITAT, WFP

NGOs: Impact Initiatives, Save the Children

 
 

28

Promote understanding of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement within the UN and among its partners and ensure that the Guiding Principles are the foundation upon which our protection and assistance activities are carried out.

UN Agencies/entities: OCHA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNMAS

 
 

29

Continue strengthening accountability to IDPs and host communities, including by redoubling efforts to deliver on the Participation Revolution promised in the Grand Bargain.

UN Agencies/entities: FAO, OHCHR, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNMAS, UN HABITAT, WFP

NGOs: Impact Initiatives, Save the Children

 
 

30

Work with and through local systems, local authorities and local civil-society actors as much as possible, supporting locally led responses and avoiding the creation of parallel structures.

UN Agencies/entities: ILO, IOM, OCHA, OHCHR, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNMAS, UNOPS, UN HABITAT, UN Women, WFP

NGOs: Impact Initiatives, Save the Children

 
 

31

Take steps to lay the foundation for solutions earlier in responses by incorporating pathways to solutions into HRPs and recognizing solutions-enabling programming as a priority, while simultaneously working to understand and mitigate future displacement risks.

UN Agencies/entities: FAO, IOM, OCHA, UNDP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNMAS, UN HABITAT, WFP

NGOs: Impact Initiatives, Save the Children