The Group of Friends of the Platform on Disaster Displacement Meets in Geneva

Ms Suzana Simichen Sopta, representing the European Union, and Mr. Sofiane Kadmiri, representing the Kingdom of Morocco as Co-Chairs of the PDD Group of Friends, opened this meeting of the Group of Friends of the PDD.

Mr. Kadmiri explained that the Group of Friends was established in 2019 as a part of the strategy of the Steering Group of the PDD to disseminate information about the Platform and its work, provide tools for member states interested in disaster displacement and strengthen awareness regarding the protection and assistance needs of disaster displaced persons. He highlighted the need for continuous engagement, renewed political will and collective ambition of the Member States during the current geopolitical shifts.

The introductory remarks were followed by a panel titled ‘Navigating the Nexus: Geopolitical Shifts, Budget Constraints, and Disaster and Climate-Induced Displacement’ which was moderated by Ms. Simichen Sopta. The panel included Ms. Christelle Cazabat from IDMC, Ms. Carolina Fuentes from the Santiago network, Ms. Rania Ahmed Sharshr from IOM, Mr. Andrew Harper from UNHCR, Prof. Walter Kaelin and Mr. Ronald Jackson from UNDP. 

Ms. Cazabat from IDMC presented data from their latest report, the 2025 Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID) as well as the Countdown to 2030: Achieving Global Targets on Disaster Displacement. In 2024, IDMC recorded 255 million displacements, among which 45.8 million were disaster displacements, the highest ever recorded. Ms. Fuentes from the Santiago network highlighted the recent milestones the network has reached since its establishment, including starting the catalyzing of the network’s first technical assistance request from Vanuatu. Ms. Sharshr from IOM highlighted the challenges posed by a shrinking funding environment and emphasized the need for collective reflection and renewed solidarity. Mr. Harper from UNHCR stressed the increasing pressures UNHCR faces in continuing to address climate change and disaster risk reduction (DRR) within its protection mandate. Mr. Jackson from UNDP commended the timeliness of the conversation, framing the current geopolitical landscape as both a potential impediment and an opportunity for advancing disaster risk reduction (DRR) and displacement solutions. 

Prof. Walter Kaelin, Envoy of the Chair of the PDD, gave an overview of the PDD’s state-led, multistakeholder mission to protect disaster-displaced persons, and to prevent and reduce disaster displacement. He emphasized that in view of the number that the IDMC presented, these goals are non-negotiable, especially in today’s increasingly difficult environment. The current challenges are not limited to funding shortfalls but have wider consequences for displaced populations. While the PDD has made substantial progress in bringing visibility to the issue and anchoring the topic in relevant frameworks, there is concern that global attention may be shifting elsewhere. He underscored that in the current context where agencies withdraw to implementing their core mandates and humanitarian/lifesaving action, the PDD’s added role is becoming more important than ever. The PDD is recognized as a trusted convener where sensitive as much as technical questions can be openly discussed and progressed on. Under the EU chairmanship, a new strategy had been developed, and an external assessment conducted, highlighting the PDD’s ability to work across political silos and strengthen policy coherence. However, he noted that due to lack of funding, the continued functioning and existence of the PDD is at stake. He encouraged PDD’s friends to support the work of the PDD, noting that the support of its partners is more vital than ever.

The following States and regional organizations participated in this meeting: Australia, Bangladesh, Council of Europe, Chile, Denmark, the European Union, Hungary, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Senegal and Sudan.  IDMC, IOM, UNDP, UNHCR and UNDRR were present as well.

Cover Photo: Platform on Disaster Displacement