A/RES/78/205
Protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons
Reaffirming General Assembly resolution 46/182 of 19 December 1991 and the
guiding principles contained in the annex thereto, other relevant General Assembly
and Economic and Social Council resolutions and agreed conclusions of the Council,
reaffirming also the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence
in the provision of humanitarian assistance, and reaffirming further the need for all
actors engaged in the provision of humanitarian assistance in situations of complex
emergencies and natural disasters to promote and fully respe ct these principles,
Emphasizing that States have the primary responsibility to provide protection
and assistance to internally displaced persons within their jurisdiction, without
discrimination, as well as to address the root causes of the displacement problem and
to support all durable solutions in appropriate cooperation with those displaced, their
hosts, civil society, local authorities, development actors, the private sector and the
international community,
Expressing particular concern at the increased level of discrimination
experienced by internally displaced persons, including those who may be in
particularly vulnerable situations, including women, children, older persons and
persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples and persons belonging to national or
ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, and emphasizing the need to ensure that
their specific needs are met through the provision of adequate protection and access
to assistance,
Expressing gravest concerns about the high levels of global food insecurity and
malnutrition and rising risks of famine, loss of livelihoods, and the impacts and risks
for displacement, and recognizing that additional efforts, including international
support, are urgently needed to address this,
Noting the need to address the root causes of displacement and for increased
awareness within the international community of the issue of internal displacement
worldwide, including the situation of millions living in protracted situations of
displacement, many of them outside camp settings and in urban areas, and the urgency
of providing adequate humanitarian assistance and protection to internally displaced
persons, as well as advancing durable solutions, including through developing locally
sustainable solutions,
Recognizing that violations of international humanitarian law can cause
displacement, and recalling that displacement could be reduced if international
humanitarian law was respected by all parties to armed conflict, in particular the
fundamental principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution, as well as the
prohibition of forced displacement of the civilian population, unless the security of
the civilians involved or imperative military reasons so demand, 2
Expressing deep concern at the threat posed by landmines, explosive remnants
of war and improvised explosive devices to internally displaced persons fleeing
conflict, impeding, in certain instances, their voluntary return, local integration and
resettlement and the safe delivery of humanitarian assistance, and noting the urgency
of providing protection from landmines and other explosive remnants of war and
supporting host communities and local organizations,
Expressing particular concern that many internally displaced children, in
particular girls, lack access to education in all phases of displacement owing to attacks
against schools, damaged or destroyed school buildings, insecurity, the prevalence of
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2
2/13
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection
of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II) (United Nations, Treaty Series,
vol. 1125, No. 17513), arts. 13 and 17.
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