Holding On showcases the stories of internally displaced people (IDPs) 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.
The campaign marks twenty years since the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement were established; they continue to serve as the global standard for protecting and assisting IDPs. The principles spell out the rights of IDPs and the obligations of world leaders to respond.
Internal displacement continues unabated around the world, affecting many men, women and children who see no end to their plight. Help us make progress by signing the GP20 petition that the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of IDPs will use to advance long-term solutions.