Key Concepts of Migrants, Internally Displaced Persons, Refugees and Asylum Seekers

There has been movement as long as there have been people, and it is connected to the historical movement of peoples throughout the world. The flow of people across borders, whether invited or forced, is influenced by an array of social-political, economic, ecological, and humanitarian factors. Among the broader category of migrants, IDPs, refugees, and asylum-seekers are particularly vulnerable and experience extreme suffering, including insecurity, poor access to services, and mistreatment. To Arab policymakers in the region, mastering these concepts and subcategories is important given the continuing conflicts, economic gridlock, and advent of climate change. The objective of this policy brief is to analyze the concepts and subcategories of migrants in such a way as to shed light on IDPs, refugees, and asylum seekers. It explores their rights and needs and recommends what to do for them in terms of policy specifically in the Arab region in the face of the challenges of continuing conflict, economic insecurity, and the impact of climate change. This policy brief analyzes the main categories and sub-categories of migrants, concentrating on the IDPs, refugees, and asylum seekers. It examines their rights and problems and proposes solutions to better cater to their needs in the context of the Arab region. We hope this offers evidence for a collective response where cooperation, evidence-based policy, and rights-based policy should remain the main drivers for addressing migration and displacement considering the region’s geographical, social, and political relevance.