PAST EVENT
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Washington, DC
Every year, humanitarian crises threaten the lives and livelihoods of over 250 million people worldwide, and donor governments must make the best use of their resources, knowledge and capabilities to respond to these challenges. On November 10, the Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement will host the launch of the Development Assistance Research Associates Humanitarian Response Index 2009, which helps donor governments ensure that humanitarian assistance has the greatest possible impact for people suffering the effects of crises and disasters. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Walter Kälin, October 26, 2009, United Nations General Assembly
Since 2004 there have been encouraging trends related to internal displacement. Walter Kälin notes that the use of the Guiding Principles as the relevant framework for protecting IDPs and the development of national and regional laws and policies on internal displacement have been positive trends. However, despite such positive trends, the challenges presented by climate change, the disregard for civilian populations in conflict zones, a shrinking humanitarian space, and protracted displacement situations still remain unchanged. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Elizabeth Ferris, October 02, 2009, Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement
The tragic earthquake in Sumatra, the tsunami in Samoa and the typhoon that hit the Philippines are just the latest in an increasing number of natural disasters. Last year alone natural disasters affected over 200 million people, killing 16,000 and displacing close to 50 million. Elizabeth Ferris evaluates the international capacity to respond to major disasters and argues that more should be done to reduce their impact. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
September 23, 2009, Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement
Central America is a region constantly exposed to risks from natural disasters. It is important for governments to develop a human rights based approach to disaster response in order to decrease the likelihood of human rights violations of the victims of natural disasters. In order to promote the development of such strategies as well as strengthen the cooperation of humanitarian and human rights agencies in the field, CONRED, CEPREDENAC, and the Brookings-Bern Project, with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland, convened a workshop on disaster response and protection in situations of natural disaster in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Elizabeth Ferris and Diane Paul, September 22, 2009, Protecting People in Conflict and Crisis: Responding to the Challenges of a Changing World
People affected by natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes, volcanoes, and other calamities often face urgent protection needs that may not be immediately visible to humanitarian actors caught up in trying to provide water, food, shelter, medical care and other lifesaving assistance. In this paper, Elizabeth Ferris and Diane Paul provide an overview of protection challenges confronting those affected by natural disasters. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
September 16, 2009, Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement
The effects of rapid climate change have led to an increase in natural disasters. The international system is seeking to strengthen and expand its approaches in responding to natural disasters, reflecting a sense of urgency and fresh perspectives. A more coordinated, adaptable and rights-based approach to sustainable development may offer vulnerable populations the ability to protect themselves from natural disasters. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Amy Liu and Nigel Holmes, August 27, 2009, The New York Times
In this New York Times “op-chart” Amy Liu analyzes the current state of the New Orleans region four years after Hurricane Katrina. Though rebuilding has blunted some of the recession’s effects, she notes that the city and region still face substantial housing, employment, and environmental challenges. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Walter Kälin, August 03, 2009, United Nations General Assembly
Internal displacement continues to be one of the world's major humanitarian and human rights challenges and many internally displaced persons (IDPs) experience serious violations of their human rights. In his annual report to the UN General Assembly, Walter Kälin argues that it is important to translate the increasing recognition of the human rights dimension of internal displacement at the international and regional levels into effective action at the national and local levels of government. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Amy Liu and Allison Plyer, July 30, 2009, The Brookings Institution and the Greater New Orleans Community Data Center
Though New Orleans has been somewhat shielded from the recession due to its industry composition and ongoing rebuilding activities, four years after Katrina the region still faces major challenges due to blight, unaffordable housing, and vulnerable flood protection. New federal leadership must commit and sustain its partnership with state and local leaders by delivering on key milestones in innovation, infrastructure, human capital, and sustainable communities to help greater New Orleans move past "disaster recovery" and boldly build a more prosperous future. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
July 01, 2009, Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement
South Asia is a "theater for disaster." In the past decade alone floods, cyclones, earthquakes, droughts, and a devastating tsunami destroyed hundreds of thousands of lives and livelihoods and left millions more homeless. In each disaster, humanitarian responders rushed to the scene to preserve human life and reduce immediate suffering. However, many times, human rights protection has been a secondary concern. This new report, based on a regional meeting in Chennai, India, discusses the challenges in incorporating human rights into disaster response in South Asia. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Walter Kälin, June 24, 2009, Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population of the Parliamentary Assembly, Council of Europe
An estimated 50-200 million people may move by the middle of the century as a result of the negative effects of climate change, either within their countries or across borders, on a permanent or temporary basis. While some of this movement may be voluntary, some of it will not. Walter Kälin points out that there are significant differences in both groups' situations and the responses to their migrations must also be different. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
June 05, 2009, Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement
2008 marked the tenth anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement—an occasion both to commemorate efforts over the past decade to uphold the human rights of IDPs and to remind ourselves that much remains to be done. In this report, the Project presents its work from 2008 and discusses the challenges that lie ahead. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Elizabeth Ferris, April 21, 2009, Roundtable on "Canada and International Law, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
All humanitarian work is, or should be, grounded in international human rights law. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Roberta Cohen, April 06, 2009, Forced Migration Review #32
Climate change is expected to sharply increase the number and severity of natural disasters, displacing millions on all continents. Roberta Cohen argues that the international community needs to recognize "disaster IDPs" and establish new institutional arrangements to protect their human rights. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Walter Kälin, March 12, 2009, United Nations Human Rights Council
Marking the 10th Anniversary of the adoption of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement has provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the Guiding Principles. However, according to Walter Kälin, the dire situation on the ground for the world's over 26 million IDPs indicates that more work needs to be done. Read More