The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre’s 2025 report reveals a historic peak in internal displacement, with 83.4 million people uprooted by conflict, violence, and climate-related disasters by the end of 2024.
Climate change intensified weather-driven events such as cyclones, floods, and droughts, accounting for 99.5% of disaster displacements globally. Floods alone displaced over 24 million people in Pakistan between 2009 and 2023, reflecting the acute vulnerability of regions facing extreme climate risks.
Internally displaced individuals face severe challenges including inadequate shelter, limited access to healthcare, food, and clean water, and heightened exposure to extreme heat in urban heat islands. Despite growing numbers, international law lacks a specific legal status for climate-displaced persons, often referred to as “climate refugees,” complicating their protection and resettlement prospects.
Human rights frameworks affirm that displaced people retain fundamental rights such as the right to life, dignity, and protection against forced return to unsafe environments. However, concrete protections and pathways for migration remain inconsistent and generally insufficient worldwide. The International Court of Justice has underscored state responsibilities to prevent displacement and protect affected populations, urging enhanced legal and humanitarian responses.
As climate impacts worsen, humanitarian and governmental actors emphasize the need for resilient health systems, equitable access to resources, and inclusive policies to support the growing number of displaced people. Without urgent collective commitment, millions may face prolonged displacement and exacerbated vulnerabilities due to climate change’s global emergency.