A/HRC/19/54 significant increase in street children, many of whom were believed to be IDPs, in a number of large towns and cities since the 2007/2008 post- election violence.23 Addressing the needs and rights of IDPs in the context of broader urban poverty 33. While in many cases, non-camp IDPs living in impoverished urban environments have many needs in common with others living in these environments, they also have specific needs and should be part of assistance programmes, and political and durable solutions strategies to address internal displacement in the country. This process may include, but is nonetheless distinct from the general socio-economic and development challenges related to urban poverty. Failing to recognize this often results in a “policy by default” which only treats IDPs within the wider, and often intractable problem of the urban poor. The Special Rapporteur believes that a combined approach, which includes community-based approaches and punctual IDP specific interventions is necessary in most contexts – in order to address IDP specific needs, constraints, human rights concerns and durable solutions, while taking into account the wider host community needs. Moreover, such an approach prevents harm through the exacerbation of poverty resulting from the neglect of specific IDP needs and solutions to their displacement. Assisting IDPs, particularly when combined with support to host communities, can reduce overcrowding, joblessness, poverty, homelessness and consolidate peace and reconstruction efforts, for the benefit of IDPs and the city as a whole. 34. In situations where mass internal displacement is due to political, ethnic or sectarian violence, addressing internal displacement is also necessary to national reconciliation and peace processes.24 IDPs dispersed in urban areas should be included and participate in such processes, and related durable solutions. Urban IDPs, natural disasters and climate change, and intra-city displacement 35. The predicted increase in internal displacement due to the effects of climate change and related frequency and severity of natural disasters is a further factor pointing to the need to develop a more consistent, equitable and systemized response to IDPs outside camps. The erosion of livelihoods, in part provoked by climate change, is considered a key “push” factor for the increase in rural to urban displacement and migration, most of which is likely to be to urban slums and informal settlements offering precarious living conditions. The Special Rapporteur believes that the urban dimensions of climate-change-induced displacement should be a key consideration in medium and long-term national development strategies, as well as adaptation measures.25. These should include strengthened systems to monitor influxes of IDPs, and to address the assistance and durable solutions needs of IDPs outside camps living in urban areas. IDPs, who are more likely to be unlisted and undocumented, are also likely to have less access to services and livelihoods, and to live in slum areas which are often situated in hazard-prone locations such as low-lying areas and landfill sites –thereby making them vulnerable to further risks, including to their physical safety, the loss of housing, and secondary displacement. 26 36. In addition to displacement into cities, natural disasters, violence and conflict are also likely to cause complex intra-city displacement, such as was the case in Haiti in the 23 24 25 26 12 See also A/HRC/19/54/Add.2 See press releases by mandate: “Iraq: helping internally displaced persons improve their lives and finding durable solutions, key aspects of peacebuilding”, 29 September 2010; and “UN Expert: Comprehensive strategy on internal displacement essential to secure human rights of IDPs and consolidate peace and reconciliation in Kenya”, 27 September 2011. Also: Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement, Integrating Internal Displacement in Peace Processes and Agreements, 2010. See also A/66/285, paras. 66-69 A/66/285, para.68; Wilton Park, Urban risks, p. 3.