More than half of the world's displaced people live in urban areas. Although images of refugee camps in rural areas form many people's idea of life for the displaced, this is not the full picture.
People displaced by conflict, natural hazards, or some combination of the two often move to urban centres. Here, they seek better economic opportunities, anonymity, and safety.
However, they face many challenges upon arrival. Many are unable, because of lack of money or civil documents, to find proper housing. And so they live in slums, have less access to work, education, health and sanitation services, and are vulnerable to more violence.
They have become the forgotten face of the displaced.
Addressing the issue
NRC believes that their long-term displacement must be addressed as a political, development, and economic challenge, instead of a humanitarian intervention.
Many displaced people in urban areas place pressure on the already strained resources in their host communities. However, their arrival can also stimulate economic growth by contributing labour and consumers to the market. Their presence can be turned into a positive influence for the community.
To address the situation of the urban displaced, we have programmes specifically aimed at urban areas to break the cycle of displacement.
