Definition

Individuals are “displaced” if they are forced to leave their homes or places of residence, usually due to armed conflict, generalized violence, violations of human rights, or natural or human-made disasters. Displacement is also known as “involuntary” or “forced migration.” 

“Displaced persons” encompasses refugees as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs). IDPs are individuals who are forced to leave their homes or places of habitual residence for the same reasons but have not crossed an internationally recognized state border. The term is somewhat formal; it may be clearer to the reader to mention that the individual is displaced within their home country. IDPs are different from refugees because the latter have a special status in international law, with certain rights specific to their situation.

Additional resources

• Key Migration Terms (International Organization for Migration)
• Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (United Nations)
• Forced migration or displacement (Migration Data Portal)

Summary

A “displaced person” or “internally displaced person” is someone who is forced to leave their home or place of residence. The latter term is somewhat formal; it may be clearer to the reader to mention that the individual is displaced within their home country.

Related terms

• refugee
• asylum seeker 
• asylee
• diaspora
• federally recognized Tribe