DRC and NRC merge IDMC and JIPS to strengthen displacement data

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) have announced the merger of the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) and the Joint Internal Displacement Profiling Service (JIPS), uniting complementary expertise to reinforce evidence-based action on internal displacement worldwide, according to a press release issued from Copenhagen, Oslo, and Geneva. The move brings together two entities working on displacement data at global and country levels. It responds to the persistently high levels of internal displacement recorded globally. The combined structure is intended to translate evidence into policies and durable solutions. It marks a consolidation step within the humanitarian sector.

Internal displacement remains at historically high levels, while the humanitarian and development system faces growing resource constraints. The need for reliable, comparable, and actionable data to guide policies and interventions that improve the lives of internally displaced people is increasing. IDMC has served as the leading source of global data and analysis on internal displacement. JIPS is recognized for strengthening national and sub-national data systems and capacities. Together, they aim to bridge the gap between global evidence and national action.

By combining their strengths, the new entity will improve how displacement data is collected, harmonized, and used to inform decision-making. It will help governments and partners build sustainable data systems that strengthen national ownership and provide the evidence needed to shape effective policies and durable solutions. The merged organization will support evidence-based action across the displacement cycle, from prevention to response. It will preserve the independence that underpins the credibility of both entities. Continuity in the delivery of existing services will be ensured.

Charlotte Slente, Secretary-General of the Danish Refugee Council, underlined that bringing IDMC and JIPS together strengthens the evidence decision-makers need to advance durable solutions.

“By combining our expertise, we can increase our impact and strengthen how evidence is used to improve the lives of displaced communities. This merger also reflects our shared commitment to consolidate efforts across the humanitarian sector in a time of constrained funding,” said Jan Egeland, Secretary General of NRC.

Tracy Lucas, Director of IDMC and Head of JIPS, noted that integrating IDMC’s global data with JIPS’ country-level expertise creates a unique opportunity to improve responses to internal displacement. The shared vision focuses on sustainable data systems. These systems will allow governments to translate evidence into policies and action.

IDMC was established in 1998 as part of the NRC and has since delivered data, analysis, and expertise on internal displacement worldwide. JIPS was established in Geneva in 2009 as an inter-agency service supporting governments and humanitarian and development actors. It functions as a global knowledge hub on profiling, solutions analysis, and IDP data standards. The merger builds on the strengths of both organizations while opening new opportunities for collaboration and innovation. It consolidates their role within the displacement data ecosystem.