internal displacement

USAGE SUMMARY

"internal displacement" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You may use it to describe the movement of refugees or other persons from their home communities as a result of some form of conflict or disaster. For example, you could say, "The civil war caused many people to flee, resulting in internal displacement within the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In addition, internal displacement caused by the conflict has resulted in 3 million internally displaced people (IDP), approximately 57 per cent of whom are children under age 18.

Unicef

That's about one person internally displaced per second, a new joint report from the Norwegian Refugee Council and Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre reveals.

Huffington Post

In 1998, the international community created the "Guiding principles on internal displacement".

The Guardian

Children displaced by Boko Haram attacks line up in an internal displacement camp in Yola, Nigeria, Nov. 27, 2014.

Huffington Post

The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre in Geneva said more than 6.5 million people were newly displaced within their own countries in 2012, including 2.4 million in Syria.

The Guardian

The war led to the world's highest proportional internal displacement of people.

The Guardian

Pakistan has already seen enormous internal displacement, as this year, 2m have fled their homes.

The Guardian - Opinion

He proposes reducing internal displacement by at least half by 2030.

The Guardian

Production has declined and mass internal displacement has severely disrupted an already limited agriculture.

The Guardian

Civilian massacres, guerrilla recruitment, internal displacement and land dispossession were documented features of the FARC's operations.

The Washington Post

GIMENA SANCHEZ Washington, July 27, 2000 The writer is senior research assistant, Project on Internal Displacement, Brookings Institution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use precise language to differentiate between "internal displacement" and external migration or refugee status.

Common error

Avoid using "internal displacement" interchangeably with terms like "refugee" or "exile". "Internal displacement" specifically refers to movement within a country's borders, whereas refugees cross international borders.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "internal displacement" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific condition or situation involving the forced movement of people within their own country, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

7%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "internal displacement" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes the forced movement of people within their own country. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, it refers to situations caused by conflict, disasters, or other crises. To be accurate in your writing, remember it's not interchangeable with external migration, such as refugees seeking asylum across international borders.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forced migration within a country

Focuses on the involuntary nature of the relocation and specifies that it occurs within national boundaries.

domestic refugee crisis

Highlights the refugee-like conditions experienced by those displaced within their own country.

involuntary relocation within borders

Emphasizes the lack of choice in the movement and the confinement within a country's limits.

internal migration due to conflict

Specifies that the relocation is due to conflict.

displacement within national boundaries

Emphasizes the geographical aspect of displacement, clarifying it happens inside the country.

forced population movement internally

Highlights the coerced aspect of population shifts within the country's borders.

homeland exile

Emphasizes the sense of being uprooted from one's home within one's own nation.

domestic population displacement

Focuses on the population aspect of the displacement.

internal resettlement

Focuses on the act of resettling people within a country.

migration inside the country

A simpler way to say it focuses on migration within the country.

FAQs

How is "internal displacement" different from being a refugee?

"Internal displacement" refers to people who are forced to leave their homes but remain within their country's borders. Refugees, on the other hand, cross international borders and seek protection in another country.

What are common causes of "internal displacement"?

Common causes include armed conflict, natural disasters, political instability, and development projects that lead to forced evictions.

What are some alternative phrases for "internal displacement"?

You can use phrases like "forced migration within a country", "domestic refugee crisis", or "involuntary relocation within borders" as alternatives. The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What support is available for people experiencing "internal displacement"?

Support can include humanitarian aid, shelter, food, medical care, and protection services provided by governments, international organizations, and NGOs. The specific support available depends on the context and the resources available.