Africa: Millions of Africans Are Displaced Without Crossing a Border - and Their Needs Are Often Overlooked

In May 2026, the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola began spreading in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, causing a major health crisis. With no vaccine available, this virus primarily affected internally displaced persons (IDPs) and communities. This pattern was also seen during the 2025 Mpox outbreak. IDPs are individuals who have been forced to flee their homes within their own country due to conflict or violence, but have not crossed an international border.

As of the end of 2025, there were estimated to be 31.7 million internally displaced people in Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo hosted the largest number, with about 9.1 million out of its total population of around 52 million. Sudan had approximately 2.8 million IDPs.

Research conducted over the past two decades has revealed that internal displacement is often overlooked despite its significant impact. The recent Handbook of Internal Displacement, published after consulting over 70 global experts, aims to address this issue. The handbook covers various disciplines such as sociology, politics, economics, history, law, development studies, humanitarian studies, migration and conflict studies.

It highlights the fact that IDPs, rather than refugees, constitute the majority of global displacement. Africa experiences the highest levels of war-related internal displacement. In 2025, the region saw 14.5 million new displacements, even amid conflicts in the Middle East. Africa also witnessed the highest number of displacements in 2024, with 11.5 million, compared to 8.5 million in the rest of the world combined.

Major contributors to displacement in Africa include conflicts and violence, climate-related hazards like cyclones, flooding, and drought, criminal, extremist and terrorist violence, and large-scale development projects. These factors often interact and intensify displacement. The consequences of internal displacement are far-reaching, disrupting lives, affecting host communities, and creating poverty.

In many African nations, war and disasters often occur simultaneously, exacerbating the situation. IDPs face challenges such as lack of access to land, housing, work, social and family support networks, making them more vulnerable to illness and death compared to refugees. While African countries have established legal frameworks for protecting IDPs, urban displacement creates additional urban challenges, including pressure on local services.