In more than 50 countries around the world, some 26 million individuals are uprooted from theirhomes and displaced in their own countries as a result of conflict or human rights violations. In addition, natural disasters caused the displacement of 36 million persons worldwide in 2008. Internally displaced persons, or “IDPs,” are part of the broadercivilian population that needs protection and assistance because of conflict and human rights abuses or due to natural disasters. The focus on IDPs in this Handbook is not intended to encourage preferential treatment of IDPs to the exclusion of other populations at risk but, rather, to improve the quality of the response developed for IDPs whose needs have been, until recently, inadequately addressed by the international humanitarian response. Forced from their homes, IDPs also experience specific forms of deprivation, such as loss ofshelter, and often face heightened or particular protection risks. These risks may include: armed attack and abuse while fleeing in search of safety; family separation, including an increase in the number of separated and unaccompanied children; heightened risk of sexual and gender-based violence, particularly affecting women and children; arbitrary deprivation of land, homes and other property; and displacement into inhospitable environments, where they suffer stigmas, marginalization, discrimination or harassment