Crisis Migration

Humanitarian crises—situations in which there is a widespread threat to life, physical safety, health or subsistence beyond the coping capacity of individuals and their communities—occur with great frequency. In these situations, people move within and across land borders, on a temporary or permanent basis, in a legal or irregular manner. People move alone or with assistance from external actors, benefiting from evacuation mechanisms, voluntary migration programs or social and diaspora networks. Some resort to clandestine networks, traveling by land or sea, and take enormous security risks. Others remain trapped unable to reach safety. In late 2011, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation launched of an ISIM project that explores the migration implications of a broad range of humanitarian crises including the protection needs of those affected. This project focuses on crisis-related movements that do not fit within legal and institutional frameworks designed to protect refugees. It also seeks to identify principles and effective practices related to the rights of those who move or remain trapped; the obligations of governments; and the responsibilities of international actors.

This project is being funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

For further information, contact Elizabeth Ferris.

Reports & Publications