Fleeing floods, earthquakes, droughts and rising sea levels: 12 lessons learned about protecting people displaced by disasters and the effects of climate change
The Nansen Initiative has held inter-governmental Regional Consultations and civil society meetings in the Pacific, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe to explore the protection and assistance needs of people displaced across borders in the context of disasters and the effects of climate change. This booklet presents the main lessons learned and conclusions reached over the course of this three-year consultative process.
The lessons learned include:
- Disaster displacement is one of the biggest humanitarian challenges of the 21st century.
- During and after disasters, most displaced families find refuge within their own country.
- While hazards are a force of nature, disasters are not natural.
- Climate change related risks threaten human settlements, infrastructure, natural resources and associated livelihoods.
- At least 50 countries (one in four States on Earth) have received or refrained from deporting children, women and men affected by disasters.
- People who are forced to cross an international border have limited protection when they knock at the door of another country.
- Solutions should be drawn from already existing knowledge and practice, harmonized and replicated.
- Infrastructure improvements, urban planning, land reform, and climate change adaptation measures contribute to preventing displacement.
- Managed properly, migration has the potential for affected people and communities to better cope with recurrent natural hazards, climate change and environmental degradation.
- Communities and governments have been prompted by risks to choose planned relocation as an option to help people move and settle on safer lands, both before and after a disaster strikes.
- It is particularly important to make sure internally displaced persons receive the assistance and protection they need following disasters, as most displacement takes place within countries.
- The reality of cross-border disaster-displacement requires strengthened action at all levels, including with the active participation of affected communities.