South Asia witnessed nearly 9.2 million disaster-induced displacements in 2024, marking a threefold increase compared to 2023 and the second-highest figure in over a decade.
The number of internally displaced people in Bangladesh due to natural disasters has continued to rise for four consecutive years, reaching nearly 2.4 million. According to a report by the Norway-based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), the country saw an increase of approximately 600,000 displaced individuals in just one year.
Bangladesh now ranks fifth globally in disaster-related internal displacement. The majority of these displacements have been caused by recurring floods and cyclones, which continue to affect large parts of the country each year.
The report, released on Tuesday, also highlights the worsening situation: In 2024, Bangladesh’s displacement numbers stood at 2.4 million, up from approximately 1.8 million in 2023.
Impact of disasters and conflicts
The internal displacement caused by disasters is the third highest in Bangladesh’s history. Only in 2019, following severe flooding, and in 2020, when both floods and Cyclone Amphan hit the country, were the displacement numbers higher.
The IDMC report also indicates that, in addition to natural disasters, around 2,800 people were displaced due to conflicts and violence in the past year.
Floods caused by the monsoon rains displaced over 1.3 million people, with Sylhet Division being the most affected. In June alone, more than 700,000 people were forced to leave their homes. The report attributes the severity of the floods to unplanned urbanization, inadequate drainage systems and the blocking of waterways, which exacerbated the situation. Additionally, Cyclone Remal contributed to increasing the intensity of the floods. At the same time, when the monsoon began last year, the situation was such that there was no capacity for so much water to flow through several rivers simultaneously.
South Asia context
South Asia is experiencing an unprecedented surge in internal displacement due to natural disasters, particularly floods, cyclones, and storms. According to the 2024 Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID) by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), the region witnessed nearly 9.2 million disaster-induced displacements in 2024, marking a threefold increase compared to 2023 and the second-highest figure in over a decade.
The increase in displacement is not confined to Bangladesh. India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand also experienced significant displacement due to natural disasters in 2024. In India, Cyclone Fengal triggered widespread flooding in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, resulting in numerous fatalities and displacing thousands. Sri Lanka faced intense rainfall from a tropical depression, leading to over 250,000 evacuations and 17 deaths. Thailand’s southern regions recorded heavy rainfall, causing floods that displaced over 2,700 people.
Global context
In the global context, the IDMC’s 2025 report reveals alarming figures. In 2024, a record 83.4 million people were internally displaced worldwide—nearly double the number reported a decade ago. Of these, 73.5 million were displaced by conflict and violence, marking a 10% increase from 2023, while 9.8 million were displaced due to natural disasters, a 29% rise compared to the previous year.
Among the countries most affected by natural disasters, the United States experienced the highest number of displacements, with approximately 11 million people affected. The Philippines followed with nearly 9 million and India ranked third with over 5.4 million displaced persons. China, with 3.9 million displaced, ranked fourth.
On the conflict and violence front, Sudan saw the highest number of displaced people, with 9.1 million displaced due to ongoing violence. Palestine ranked second with 3.2 million displaced, particularly due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In Gaza, nearly the entire population, around 2 million people, was displaced due to Israeli airstrikes.
Climate change and the future of displacement
Md Shamsuddoha is the chief Executive of Center for Participatory Research and Development –CPRD-stated that internal displacement in Bangladesh is largely driven by climate change-induced disasters. He emphasized the need for clear policy guidance to address displacement due to climate-related events. “The challenge ahead is not only the growing frequency of such disasters but also whether the state can effectively manage these situations,” he noted, calling for international support, particularly from UN agencies, to address the crisis.
The human toll
IDMC Director Alexandra Bilak noted in a statement that internal displacement is largely driven by conflict, poverty, and the impacts of climate change. “The most vulnerable populations suffer the most from displacement, and the global community must take collective action to support those affected,” she said.
She also said that the Loss and Damage Fund established in international climate negotiations recognises internal displacement in its scope. Developed nations can do their part by fully funding it and other climate adaptation and resilience efforts. Official development assistance and multilateral development banks can support the inclusion of internal displacement into national development planning. They can also invest in projects to address underlying causes of displacement and to put people on sustainable paths to reestablishing their lives.
