From left to right: Kofi Asomani, Bill Frelick,Kathleen Newland and Brigitte Oederlin.

Kofi Asomani, Director of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Internal Displacement Unit.

As U.S. forces pull out of Liberia and UN peacekeeping forces arrive, more than 500,000 people in Liberia have fled their homes but remain within the country, living in precarious conditions in which killing, rape, harassment, sickness, hunger and intimidation are part of the every day life. They are among the most recent additions to the ranks of "internally displaced people" worldwide.

Today, at least 25 million people have been displaced by violence and persecution but remain within the borders of their own countries. Internal displacement is both a policy challenge and a human tragedy of immense proportions.

For the first time, the United Nations has published a book addressing the unique concerns of internally displaced people as well as efforts to strengthen the international response to their needs.

No Refuge: The Challenge of Internal Displacement examines current actions to assist and protect internally displaced people-and the obstacles that continue to reduce the effectiveness of those efforts. Commissioned by the Internal Displacement Unit of the UN Office of Humanitarian Affairs, the book gives a perspective on the emergence of internal displacement on the international agenda and demonstrates that substantial progress has been made diplomatically and legally.

Click here for more information on No Refuge: The Challenge of Internal Displacement.

WHO:

Kofi Asomani, Director of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Internal Displacement Unit
Brigitte Oederlin, Legal Advisor of the International Committee of the Red Cross Delegation in Washington
Bill Frelick, Refugee Program Director of Amnesty International USA
Kathleen Newland, Principal Author and Co-Director, Migration Policy Institute

WHEN: Thursday, October 9, 2003
3:30- 5:00 pm Briefing
5:15- 6:00 p.m. Reception

WHERE: 1400 16th Street, NW Ground floor, Resources for the Future Conference Rooms A & B

RSVP: Acceptances only to Ana Claros at (202) 266-1940 or aclaros@migrationpolicy.org.