Internal Displacement: A Global Environmental Health Challenge
By Fred O’Brien
Honorary Vice President IFEH
Introduction
Displacement, in the words of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, is “arguably the most significant humanitarian challenge that we face”. In 2007, the total number of conflict-induced internally displaced persons (IDPs) worldwide increased by 3.7 million from the previous year to a staggering total of 26 million, the highest number ever recorded. These people were seeking shelter after being forced from their homes. Some 9.3 million live in 10 countries whose governments are indifferent or hostile to their protection needs. The fact that a great many of them have been denied physical security and integrity, the basic necessities of life, economic, social and cultural needs and live under environmental conditions inimical to human health, cries out for redress.