What does IDP mean in HEALTHCARE

An Internally Displaced Person (IDP) is someone who has had to flee their home due to war, violence, human rights violations, natural disasters, or other similar reasons. They are unable to find safety and protection within their own country and have thus been forced to move elsewhere.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in order to qualify as an IDP a person must meet the following criteria: they must have been forcibly displaced from their homes; they must be within their own country's borders; and they must not be able to return safely or find protection or assistance from their government.

While internally displaced persons often receive less attention and support than refugees who cross international borders, there are still humanitarian organizations that provide aid to those who have been forcibly displaced internally. These organizations aim to provide basic necessities such as food, shelter, medical care, sanitation facilities and a sense of security.

Internally Displaced People often suffer emotional distress due to the upheaval in their lives. Additionally, they may face physical harm from exposure to conflict zones or lack of access to basic needs such as food and water. Further, IDPs can lose contact with family members and may struggle with finding work and integrating into new communities where they feel unwelcome or alienated.

Yes. In many cases education services are available for internally-displaced individuals especially when provided by local NGOs or international aid organizations. Schools may also be established specifically for internally displaced children in areas where classroom space can accommodate them.

Yes, there are several UN conventions that specify specific legal protections for IDPs including the right not be arbitrarily arrested or detained; the right not be subject to collective punishment; the right not return involuntarily; and the right to receive equal treatment before the law regardless of nationality.

Yes, displacement can affect women differently than men as they often bear additional responsibilities for protecting children during times of crisis which can leave them more vulnerable than men in some cases. Women also face higher risks of gender-based violence during displacement which can further exacerbate existing inequalities.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is responsible for monitoring protection issues faced by internally displaced people worldwide through advocacy campaigns calling on governments to uphold basic civil liberties including freedom of movement and access essential services.