When Tropical Cyclone Idai hit Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi in March 2019, more than 400,000 people were forced to flee their destroyed homes and seek refuge elsewhere. In 2020, millions of people were affected by Hurricane Eta in Central America and southern Mexico, one of the region’s worst weather disasters in two decades. This year, India recorded the highest temperature ever recorded: 49°C with high public health risks, especially in large cities. Climate change is not something abstract, it affects people’s lives and is becoming more and more obvious. According to the UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, There are more than 20 million climate refugees in the world.
In fact, the term “climate refugee” has no meaning in international law yet., so it would be more correct to speak generally of “persons displaced by natural disasters and climate change”. What is certain is that it is a growing phenomenon due to global warming. For example, over the past 30 years, the number of people living in high-risk coastal areas has increased from 160 million to 260 million, and 90% of them come from poor countries and small island states. In Bangladesh, it is projected that by 2050, 17% of the country will be flooded due to rising sea levels and that 20 million people will lose their homes.
UNHCR emphasizes that “in addition to sudden disasters, climate change is one of the causes of food and water shortages, as well as difficulties in accessing natural resources.” Millions of people are watching their lands dry up, temperatures rise and their homes more and more often destroyed by natural disasters such as floods, floods or hurricanes. According to the High Commissioner, global warming tends to result in internal displacement before it reaches the level at which borders have to be crossed. Nonetheless more people are forced to cross borders due to climate changein and international law must first recognize them to help protect them.
Refugee laws do not currently cover those who are forced to move due to climate emergencies, and this is a problem.. According to UNHCR, in the coming years it will be necessary to rethink the definition of “refugee” and “include the concept of protecting human rights in the planning and implementation of measures to combat climate change.” In addition, it will be necessary to provide humanitarian assistance to receive and support displaced persons, as well as organize all registration, documentation, family reunification, housing, basic hygiene and food for those who have been forced to leave their homes. and move to another place. Little is said about this yet – attention, in spite of everything, is still low – but it will be a great challenge for the next decades.
Source: Elle