Nigeria, Iraq, South Sudan Syria and DRC Responsible For 38.2m IDPs in 52 Countries- MSF Nigeria

While IDPs often flee their homes for similar reasons to refugees (armed conflict, human rights violations, natural disasters) technically, they are not refugees. IDPs have not crossed an international border to find refuge and therefore remain legally under the protection of their own government, even though that government is often the cause of their flight.

Today, there are 38.2 million IDPs in 52 countries around the world.60 per cent of new IDPs are fleeing conflicts in just five countries: Iraq, South Sudan, Syria, DRC, Nigeria; and around three quarters of all IDPs are women and children.

Despite international law calling for the protection of civilians in conflict, women and children are often deliberately targeted by belligerents as part of their strategy.

And, while programmes exist to provide surgical and other care to these victims, the vast majority will not receive the care they need because they live in regions where the healthcare system has collapsed and where it is too dangerous for independent aid agencies to operate.