Binnenvertriebenen

Binnenvertriebenen, literally “internal displaced persons,” is a term used in German to describe people who are forced to flee their homes but remain within the borders of their country. The concept is the counterpart to refugees or expellees who cross international boundaries. In humanitarian and legal contexts, Binnenvertriebene corresponds to the English term internally displaced persons (IDPs). The category includes individuals displaced by armed conflict, ethnic violence, political upheaval, or natural disasters while still governed by their own state.

Historically, the term gained prominence in German-speaking discourse after World War II, when large populations were uprooted across borders and within borders alike. In Germany, the war and its aftermath produced substantial internal displacement, influencing policies related to housing, integration, and restitution. The status and protection of Binnenvertriebene are typically addressed by national authorities, with international organizations often providing humanitarian support where needed. The term is now used in international law and humanitarian practice to describe persons who have not crossed an international border but have lost homes or livelihoods due to conflict or disaster.

See also: internally displaced person, refugees, German postwar displacement, Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, 1951 Refugee Convention.