PART 2 Off The Grid Are today’s IDPs tomorrow’s refugees and migrants? It is often assumed that many refugees were at some point internally displaced at the beginning of their journey, even if only for a short period or in transit, and that IDPs are prime candidates to become refugees or migrants.160 Despite these assumptions, there is still insufficient data to determine how many of the people who flee or migrate across borders were IDPs before doing so. Nor is there sufficient understanding of the processes that lead from internal to external displacement and migration, and the specific vulnerabilities that might contribute to onward movement. This represents a major gap in current knowledge. An evidence base that establishes how many IDPs cross borders as migrants, refugees or displaced people, and why they do so, would indeed be critical at this juncture. It would allow governments, policy-makers and responders on the ground to better meet displaced people’s immediate protection and assistance needs at their points of departure, transit and arrival. Understanding the degree to which cross-border movements reflect inadequate protection and assistance in countries of origin could be significant in shaping preparedness and response efforts throughout the displacement cycle, and in addressing the long-term political and development challenges brought about by unresolved internal displacement. “The difficult choice to leave their country comes only when all other options for safety have been exhausted. Without fully addressing their human rights, needs and internal protection, today’s internally displaced persons will be tomorrow’s refugees and trafficked or smuggled migrants.”159 – Former Special Rapporteur on the human rights of IDPs || Under what circumstances do IDPs cross a border rather than try to find safety in another location within their own country? The objective of this section is to examine existing knowledge gaps with a view to informing better responses in the future. Efforts to understand when, how and why IDPs cross borders should not be used to legitimise the closing of borders or the creation of policies to contain them in their own country. People have a fundamental right to freedom of movement, which includes being able to move within and leave their country.161 Those who face threats to their lives and safety because of conflict and persecution have the right to seek asylum in another country.162 It should also be made clear that internal displacement is a pressing issue in its own right, and that IDPs’ plight should be recognised and addressed whether it is linked to cross-border movements or not. This section focuses primarily on displacement associated with conflict and violence, and considers three broad questions: || What is the available evidence on the link between internal displacement and crossborder movement? || Are refugees and migrants who return to their countries of origin at risk of finding themselves living as an IDPs, whether for the first time or anew? OFF THE GRID: Are today’s IDPs tomorrow’s refugees and migrants? 49