22 September 2016: A booklet published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) titled, ‘Migration and Protracted Crises: Addressing root causes and building resilient agricultural livelihoods,’ cites research indicating that more than 65 million people worldwide were displaced as a result of conflict, violence and persecution in 2015 alone, and that only 126,000 refugees – or 11% of the total in 2005, and the lowest on record in over 30 years – were able to repatriate to their areas of origin.

Drawing on work by the FAO and its partners, the publication aims to highlight lessons for governments, the UN system and other stakeholders on how to strengthen the resilience of the displaced as well as their host communities.

The report emphasizes that an average of 87% of those affected by conflict do not flee their countries, and most suffer from severe food insecurity. Describing such internal displacement as an important indicator of potential increases in forthcoming cross-border migrant flows, the report highlights FAO’s contribution to comprehensive solutions through, among other interventions: generating evidence on the main drivers of migration and displacement in protracted crises; providing direct livelihood support; mitigating and preventing conflicts over natural resources; and developing tools and guidance for stakeholders.

Among key messages, the publication highlights the need to recognize that vulnerable people lose access to the range of resources necessary for food and agriculture production and that affected populations need support to rebuild resilient livelihoods. It notes that this requires addressing both immediate needs and as well as more durable solutions in a particularly challenging environment. [Migration and Protracted Crises: Addressing root causes and building resilient agricultural livelihoods] [UNCCD Newsletter]