Millions of refugees are stuck in a vicious loop of conflict and climate shocks, warns the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in a new report released ahead of COP30. 🌍💔
By mid-2025, around 117 million people have been displaced by war, violence or persecution—and 3 in 4 of them are living in places facing high-to-extreme climate risks. From deadly floods to record heatwaves, these extreme weather events are not only destroying homes but forcing families—many already uprooted once—to flee again. 😢🏃♀️
In the past decade alone, weather-related disasters caused about 250 million internal displacements, and the hottest 15 refugee camps—spread across The Gambia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Senegal and Mali—are projected to clock nearly 200 days of hazardous heat stress by 2050. That's like living through your worst midsummer day, every single day. 🥵
What's at stake? The number of countries exposed to extreme climate hazards is set to jump from 3 to 65 by 2040—hosting almost half of the world's conflict-displaced people. Imagine camps in Bangladesh bracing for monsoon surges, or settlements in the Philippines facing supercharged typhoons. It's a wake-up call for us all. 🌊⚡
Meanwhile, funding is drying up. Under recent policy shifts, top donors like the United States have cut back, leaving UNHCR struggling to protect families from the next climate shock. To break this cycle, UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi stresses that COP30 must deliver real action, not empty promises. 💡✊
But there's hope too. The report highlights that sustainable investments in environmental restoration—think reforestation and flood-resilient infrastructure—can create local jobs and boost community resilience. From Bengaluru's urban greening projects to Vietnam's mangrove revitalisation, green plans can help stop displacement before it starts. 🌱💼
As young activists, tech geeks and global citizens, your voice matters. Follow the COP30 discussions and advocate for climate financing that protects the most vulnerable. Together, we can turn climate and conflict from a double crisis into an opportunity for sustainable change. 💪🌏
Reference(s):
UN says refugees stuck in vicious cycle of conflict and climate
cgtn.com
