Recognition of internally displaced persons as holders of civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights is crucial. A human rights-based approach to internal displacement and humanitarian and development assistance to such persons requires assessments of their human rights on the basis of information that goes beyond basic displacement statistics and recognizes the unique circumstances, challenges and requirements of each individual, including women, older persons, persons with disabilities, minorities and others. It also requires a deeper level of engagement and consultation with internally displaced persons, allowing a more detailed understanding of needs, concerns and intentions and demonstrating respect for the human agency of those persons, as partners in a process of achieving solutions, rather than passive beneficiaries.