The Global Report on Internal Displacement 2023 (GRID-2023)

The Global Report on Internal Displacement 2023 (GRID-2023), published by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, sheds light on the significant increase in the number of people displaced by disasters in 2022. The report highlights the impact of weather-related events, the role of La Niña, and the regional variations in displacements.

Rising Displacement: A 40% Increase

According to GRID-2023, the number of people displaced by disasters in 2022 rose by 40% compared to 2021. This unprecedented increase reflects the growing challenges faced by communities around the world due to various types of disasters.

Weather-Related Displacements

The report emphasizes that 98% of disaster displacements in 2022 were triggered by weather-related events. Floods and storms played a significant role, accounting for 6 out of 10 disaster displacements. This marked the first time since 2016 that storms surpassed other causes of displacement.

Pakistan and India: High Displacement Rates

Pakistan topped the list of countries with the highest number of disaster displacements in 2022, recording 8.16 million displacements. India ranked fourth, with 2.5 million displacements. These figures indicate the significant impact of disasters on these nations and the urgent need for effective disaster management and response strategies.

La Niña’s Influence

La Niña, the cooler phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation, played a crucial role in the increase in disasters in 2022. GRID-2023 attributes the rise in weather-related disasters, especially floods, to the prolonged three-year La Niña phenomenon. Its effects continued for a third consecutive year, leading to widespread disasters across the globe.

Regional Displacement Patterns

Sub-Saharan Africa experienced the highest-ever displacement due to disasters in 2022, with 16.5 million internal displacements—an increase of 17% from the previous year. South Asia witnessed double the annual average of disaster displacements, reaching 12.5 million. In contrast, the East Asia and Pacific region experienced fewer displacements due to less intense rainy and cyclone seasons.

Implications and Urgent Actions

The alarming increase in disaster displacements highlights the urgent need for effective disaster risk reduction and management strategies. It underscores the importance of building resilience and preparedness at individual, community, and national levels. Addressing the impacts of climate change and investing in adaptation measures are crucial to mitigate future displacements.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2023

Category: Reports & Indexes Current Affairs