IFRC World Disasters Report 2012 - Focus on Forced Migration and Displacements

Migration is a large and growing phenomenon affecting virtually all countries as the source, transit and/or destination of migrants. Many migrants move voluntarily, seeking better economic opportunities and different lifestyles. Others, such as refugees, asylum seekers and trafficked persons, are forced to flee their homes due to conflict, repression or persecution. But disasters, environmental degradation, development projects, poverty and poor governance are also increasingly large-scale drivers of forced displacement. These individuals, their families and communities, who are displaced in their own countries or across international borders – broadly termed ‘forced migrants’ – are the focus of the 2012 World Disasters Report.