Finding 4: Climate change increases risk

Disaster displacement is an ever growing risk, exacerbated by the increasing impact of climate change on disaster risk.

Whilst attention is placed on conflict related displacement, the growing and increasingly complex risks of climate change are increasing disaster displacement at alarming rates. Disaster displacement is significantly triggered by storms, forcing 14.6 million new displacements in the last year, and floods causing 14 million more. The most significant trigger for conflict and violence was armed conflict forcing 7.5 million people from their homes last year. 

Of the 185 who shared their displacement stories with us, climate change was the most stated issue that was increasing disaster risk for displacement affected populations. 

Displacement in El Salvador and Honduras

Whilst climate change related factors were not cited as much as expected throughout VFL given the high risk of flash flooding globally, there were some clear examples of its impact. In El Salvador and Honduras, displaced communities living on the outskirts of urban areas had moved there due to results of climate change. The threats they continue to face are, in Honduras, heavy rainfall (25.3%), extreme weather events such as storms,  hurricanes, tornadoes and typhoons (20.4%) and deforestation (12.9%) and, in El Salvador, drought (50%) and flash floods (35%). 

Experiences of displaced persons in South Sudan

In South Sudan, two million have been internally displaced due to conflict arising from ethnic divides since 2013. Inter-communal violence and recurrent natural hazards such as floods and drought have further aggravated displacement. Focusing research on displaced communities on the edge of Juba, and along the River Nile, it is the consequence of climate change and ongoing hazards to health that are alarming. They are at high risk of secondary displacement. Despite these communities being aware of floods, they stick around these areas because of the perceived economic benefits e.g. they farm vegetable gardens and practice fishing along the river banks to make a living. 

The biggest concerns of consequences due to the risks faced were disease (20%) and hunger (19%). “The rate of malnutrition is very high among the displaced persons especially among children, lactating and pregnant mothers. Pit latrines are filled up but people still have to use them and they have to cook just near those latrines. There is a high chance for an outbreak of diseases here”. Another stakeholder interviewed said, “Some of the families since they arrived have not got better shelter. So rains and sun heat always affect them.”