Migration and displacement

In 2015 there were 244 million international migrants globally. Additionally, over 65.6 million people were displaced mainly by conflicts. Displacement due to climate change and disasters has on average affected 22.5 million people since 2008.

We believe that long-term development approaches are important in addressing migration and displacement. In the coming years, UNDP will continue to work with partners to advance the development dimensions of migration and displacement in the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework,  the Global Compact for Migration, the Global Migration Group, the Global Forum for Migration and Development, the Platform on Disaster Displacement, and other important fora on migration and development. 

In partnership with IOM, UNDP is supporting countries to mainstream migration into local and national development strategies.  UNDP’s work in Syria and the neighbouring countries has impacted millions of people, providing temporary jobs to women and young people, increasing access to basic services and working together with other UN agencies to help those displaced by conflict, climate change and environmental degradation. 

Together with UNHCR and IOM, UNDP addresses the plight of migrants, refugees, internally displaced people and their host communities through:

• Supporting national and local governments to mainstream migration into development plans, including localized SDGs; 

• Addressing root causes/drivers of migration and displacement;

• Advocating for and strengthening humanitarian and development nexus in addressing protracted displacement,

• Investing in resilience based development to ensure migrants, refugees, IDPs and host communities cope, recover and sustain development gains in crisis and post crisis situations.