Migrants, Refugees and Internally Displaced Peoples

Since the earliest times, humanity has been on the move. Some people move in search of work or economic opportunity, to join family, or to study. Others move to escape conflict, persecution or large-scale human rights violations. Still others move in response to the adverse effects of climate change, natural disasters or other environmental factors. Migrant is an umbrella term, reflecting a common lay understanding, which includes all those who move, temporarily or permanently, within a country or across an international border.  

The two primary United Nations organizations which address the needs of migrants are the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization of Migration (IOM). UNHCR aids forcibly displaced peoples - refugees and internally displaced peoples (IDPs). The IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration and promotes international cooperation on migration issues. Additionally, migration is addressed across the UN system through the newly created United Nations Network on Migration. Through this Network and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) the Organization seeks to provide services and advice to governments and migrants to assist in meeting the growing challenges of migration.