The exhibition marks the 20th anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (GP20) and features personal stories from displaced people. ‘Holding On’ exhibition showcases the stories of internally displaced people by asking them to reflect on their most cherished possessions. The items that displaced people carry with them when they have to leave their homes often become physical representations of a world that has since disappeared. For many, they represent a promise of return. A key, a shirt or a photo can now serve both as a symbol of struggle and a beacon of hope. Using virtual reality technology, attendees will be able to enter the “makeshift” homes and communities of internally displaced individuals to watch them share their story of displacement and the significance of the possession they are holding on to. These stories of people displaced within the borders of their own countries, collected by IOM staff around the world, will serve to raise awareness of the plight of internally displaced persons and celebrate their courage, tenacity and resilience of spirit, while ensuring that their voices are front and centre..

From April-June 2018, some 970,000 people were internally displaced in Ethiopia's Gedeo Zone (SNNPR Region) and West Guji (Oromia Region) due to inter-communal conflict.

IOM Mauritania has followed and assisted several women with their reintegration projects. They received psychosocial, sometimes medical assistance, and help to develop an income-generating activity. After some very difficult events in their lives, they are now independent and can provide for themselves and their families.With dignity, they have found a place in society.

Locals and IDPs in Pulka enjoy a brief but much needed spell of rain at the tail end of the harmatan season. IDPs here in Bakassi and Pulka come from surrounding villages razed by Boko Haram.

The ongoing crisis in South Sudan is in its fifth year with no clear signs of abating, resulting in protracted or multiple displacement with communities receiving aid several times. Thus, IOM explored other modalities of assistance beyond in-kind interventions. As a response modality, a resilience-based approach centered on community participation through CBI was implemented in 2017. As part of this, the installation of shelter upgrades project was implemented in Wau Protection of Civilians (PoC) site involving the community, including local traders, following with gender-responsive skills training and using locally available sources. A total of 800 communal shelters were upgraded by beneficiaries and benefitted 22,579 individuals

The ongoing crisis in South Sudan is in its fifth year with no clear signs of abating, resulting in protracted or multiple displacement with communities receiving aid several times. Thus, IOM explored other modalities of assistance beyond in-kind interventions. As a response modality, a resilience-based approach cantered on community participation through CBI was implemented in 2017. As part of this, the construction of Fuel-Efficient Stoves (FES) project was implemented in Bentiu Protection of Civilians (PoC) site in South Sudan involving the community, including local traders, following with gender-responsive skills training and using locally available sources. A total of 11,180 stoves were constructed by beneficiaries and benefitted 100,620 individuals. This Project was 59% less expensive than distributing imported FES. At project closure, 76,120 USD were injected into the local economy.

IOM S/NFI team, in coordination with CCCM and WaSH, implemented a comprehensive rehabilitation of Wau PoC site with the objective of enhancing the site with more equitable access to services, balanced dispersion of IDPs, and reduce congestion of makeshift shelters. Shelter designs were adapted considering specific situations and space availability. IOM S/NFI team has given special attention to ensure structural quality and to prolong life span of shelters. A total of 622 communal shelters were constructed benefiting of 35,303 individuals in Wau PoC Site.

The first of two workshops dedicated in 2018 to the topic of inclusive and innovative partnerships for effective global governance of migration, explore dexisting partnership mechanisms and evaluate both achievements and challenges encountered.