Addressing disaster displacement in disaster risk reduction policy and practice: A checklist

This checklist is a companion tool to the Words into Action Guideline Disaster Displacement: How to Reduce Risk, Address Impacts and Strengthen Resilience (Words into Action on Disaster Displacement) published by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. The Words into Action on Disaster Displacement provides advice for including disaster displacement within new or revised disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies in line with Targets (B) and (E) of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework; see annex). The Sendai Framework recognises disaster displacement as an important concern. It also identifies actions to prepare for responses that reduce potential humanitarian needs and strengthen the resilience of those affected until they are able to find a solution to their displacement.

The Checklist provides a list of elements that DRR policy makers and practitioners are invited to consider in assessing whether their policies, strategies and practices align with the Sendai Framework’s guidance on disaster displacement. The Checklist identifies policies and practices to address disaster displacement but is not an exhaustive list. Rather, the Checklist identifies and proposes a number of possible actions to be taken at national and local levels, as well as to promote a regionally coherent approach. To gain a more detailed and comprehensive understanding, readers are encouraged to consult the Words into Action on Disaster Displacement.