There are a variety of causes of displacement notably armed conflict, generalized violence and serious violations of human rights, natural disasters, development projects and human-made disasters.

The definition of “internal displacement” captures “the involuntary or forced movement, evacuation or relocation of persons or groups of persons within internationally recognized state borders.”

If there is no effective follow-up in the wake of a natural disaster, i.e., no implementation of early recovery projects, people will be unable to return to their places of habitual residence and end up in displacement – a situation which cannot be attributed solely to “natural” disaster.

Vulnerability “used more generally to describe factors that affect the ability of the community or individuals to respond to natural hazards or extreme events.