UN chief: New panel to focus on millions of displaced people

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is establishing a high-level panel on internal displacement to focus on the millions of people who flee their homes to escape conflict and violence and remain in their own countries.

He said the number of internally displaced people worldwide has continued to grow in recent years, “with more than 41 million uprooted by the end of 2018.”

Guterres made the announcement Wednesday, the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa. It is the first and only continent-wide, legally binding treaty to protect and assist internally displaced persons.

Guterres said the panel, whose members will be announced shortly, will work to increase global attention and support, and recommend “durable solutions” for the internally displaced.