The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) recently released alarming findings indicating the increasing vulnerability of refugees to the impacts of climate change. The report, titled "No Escape: On the Frontlines of Climate Change, Conflict and Forced Displacement," was published during COP29 held in Baku and highlights the dire situation facing individuals fleeing violence, war, and persecution. According to the report, these refugees are now facing the compounded threat of climate hazards alongside their existing crises.
A shocking statistic from the report reveals out of over 120 million forcibly displaced people, three-quarters reside in countries significantly impacted by climate change. Half of these individuals find themselves caught in environments afflicted by both conflict and severe climate events, with countries such as Ethiopia, Haiti, Myanmar, Sudan, Somalia, and Syria at the forefront of this crisis.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi emphasizes the gravity of the situation, stating, "The climate crisis is causing displacement in regions already hosting many people uprooted by conflict and insecurity, worsening their situation and leaving them with no safe place to go." This highlights the intersection between climate change and geopolitical instability, creating a vicious circle of vulnerability.
The situation is dire as climate-related hazards are projected to escalate significantly. By 2040, the number of countries facing extreme threats from climate change is expected to soar from three to as many as 65. Unfortunately, most of these governments also host significant populations of displaced people. The report also warns of increasing risks: projections indicate most refugee settlements and camps will experience double the number of dangerous heat days by 2050.
Illustrations of these challenges can be seen starkly through recent events. The conflict escalation and humanitarian emergency in Sudan have driven millions from their homes, with around 700,000 fleeing to neighboring Chad, itself grappling with climate change consequences. Those remaining within Sudan are not exempt from dangers, facing additional challenges from extreme flooding. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi regions witnessing the arrival of 72% of refugees from Myanmar grapple with natural disasters, such as cyclones and torrential flooding, making life exceedingly hazardous for these families.
The UN report does not stop at merely stating these figures and trends; it also shines a light on the stark inequities embedded within climate funding. Strikingly, those living in fragile states are receiving roughly $2 per person annually for adaptation measures, starkly contrasted with the $161 allocated to individuals living under more stable conditions. Alarmingly, the majority of available funds gravitate toward capital cities, neglecting outlying areas where migrants and refugees settle.
Grace Dorong, a climate activist hailing from South Sudan, lends her voice to this crisis narrative. Once among the displaced, she now advocates for raising awareness of the visible effects of climate change around her. Dorong asserts the urgency for decision-makers to act swiftly, stating, "The report aims to help officials comprehend the severity of the situation. Without sustainable solutions, the condition of displaced populations will only deteriorate."
Grandi adamantly referred to the climate emergency as systemic injustice. According to him, the people most affected—those disproportionately contributing to global carbon emissions—are reaping the harshest consequences. He states, "Billsions earmarked for climate financing often sidestep the very individuals most vulnerable, exacerbated by insufficient humanitarian assistance."
Meanwhile, the global response to this intertwining of displacement and climate threats remains underwhelming. Climate financing continues to neglect refugees, their host communities, and the broader circumstances determining their displacements. This lack of support compounds the risks faced; climate-related disasters strike without warning, putting fragile states and their inhabitants at higher risk of turmoil.
Addressing the new realities presented by the climate crisis must involve urgent and equitable allocation of resources. This will require not only recognizing the plight of displaced refugees but also implementing integrated strategies to prevent future conflict and displacement caused by climate impacts. The stakes are undeniably high, and the time for action is now.
