IGAD Discusses the Links Between Migration and Climate Change
Nairobi, Kenya
27-28 July 2017
The 9th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Regional Consultative Process on Migration (RCP)convened on the theme Climate Change and Human Mobility. The objective of the meeting was to increase awareness around issues related to displacement in the context of disasters and climate change as well as to forge a common understandingon the protection gaps and opportunities for IGAD Member States.*
The adverse effects of climate change in the IGAD region have been felt with pronounced degree for decades. Environmental degradation, extreme weather and climate events, conflict and poverty had all contributed to the weakening of the region’s resilience and thereby compounded the effects of recurrent droughts. Such changes have also prompted people to move internally and across borders. This is specifically true for the Greater Horn of Africa where climate change has increasingly become another key driver of displacement within a complex context of poverty, conflict, violence and sometimes weak governance. Floods and droughts have also worsen the situation for those already on the move, including the 7 million IDPs and 3 million refugees in the region.
To help identify the relevant data, challenges, policies and interventions in the region, IGAD commissioned a study with an international expert, Dr. François Gemenne, who presented an outline of the report at the meeting. The study will reflect the recommendations made at the 9th IGAD-RCP Meeting.
IOM shared its experience of over 25 years on addressing the Migration, Environment and Climate Change nexus on all fronts: research, capacity building, policy development and operational responses. IOM was represented by Ms. Maureen Achieng, the Chief of Mission for the Special Liaison Office in Addis Ababa and IOM’s Permanent Representative to IGAD as well as by representatives from IOM Nairobi, Kenya, South Sudan and Sudan.
The Envoy of the state-led Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD), Prof. Walter Kaelin, recommended States to ensure disaster displacement takes a central stage in the negotiations for developing the Global Compact for Migration (GCM).
Participants included: IGAD Member States’ Heads of Immigration, Labour and Departments dealing with climate change as well as representatives of academia, UN agencies, civil society, members of National Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction (specifically those dealing with droughts, floods and environmental changes), focal points of National Coordination Mechanism on Migration (NCM), and experts on disaster risk reduction.
The 9th IGAD-RCP meeting took place between 27 and 28 July 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya and was organized by the IGAD Secretariat together with IOM and the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD). Read also IGAD’s articleand PDD’s summaryof the event.
*IGAD Member States are: Djibouti (not represented), Eritrea (currently suspended), Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia (not represented), South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
The workshop brought together 40 participants from 11 countries in the region, representing key national governmental entities responsible for migration management, disaster and emergency response, foreign affairs and consular services.
Over the course of two days, participants exchanged experiences on key human mobility and environmental trends in the region, and shared their practices and experience in responding to disasters and environmental change and in managing migration and displacement associated with these environmental factors. IOM’s Migration, Environment and Climate Change: Training Manualguided the overall approach and provided key content of this workshop.
The workshop sought in particular to encourage a discussion around practical ways to implement the “RCM Guide to Effective Practices for RCM Member Countries: Protection for Persons Moving Across Borders in the Context of Disasters”. The Guide, developed following the work of the Nansen Initiative in the region, is a key tool to assist decision-makers and practitioners in the region in designing and strengthening policies and measures to respond to cross-border disaster-displacement. Using examples of practices outlined in the Guide, the workshop participants looked into a variety of cross-border disaster-displacement scenarios and formulated recommendations for measures to be implemented at national and regional level to address the needs of people seeking temporary protection abroad following a disaster, those unable to return to their country of origin hit by a disaster, and those caught in a disaster abroad. The MICIC Initiative Guidelines to Protect Migrants in Countries Experiencing Conflict or Natural Disaster were also presented as a key tool to guide governments in designing solutions to address the latter scenario.
Costa Rica and Panamá Prepare for Cross-Border Disaster-Displacement
Costa Rica and Panamá have developed joint Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) concerning disaster displacement over their common border. Between 21 and 22 August 2017 at the ‘Sabalito de Coto Brus’ border crossing, officials from both countries put in practice and tested these SOPs into a simulation exercise.
Costa Rica and Panamá are located in areas highly prone to natural hazards, especially hydro-meteorological hazards, such as storms and hurricanes, which have led to floods, landslides and mudslides. At the same time, both countries are under the influence of the interactions of the Cocos and Caribbean tectonic plates on the Pacific Ring of Fire and the North Panamá Deformed Belt. This renders the countries vulnerable to geophysical hazards as well, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Such hazards cause disasters in both countries, which can trigger forced movements of populations.
To manage displacement and disaster risks, the two countries have put in place several bilateral mechanisms and policies, such as the Costa Rica – Panamá Border Development Agreement, the Costa Rica – Panamá Association Accord, and the Permanent Commission for the Protection and Assistance of Vulnerable Migrants (COPPAMI). Regionally, both countries actively engaged within the Regional Conference for Migration (RCM) to adopt the ‘Guide to Effective Practices for RCM Member Countries: protection for persons moving across borders in the context of disasters’. The developed SOPs rest heavily on this Guide, which provides measures States can take to address the needs of disaster displaced persons by using already existing law, policies and practices.
The two-day simulation exercise is a step further in the countries’ efforts to be prepared and ensure protection and assistance for cross-border disaster-displaced persons. On the first day, participants reviewed and discussed the SOPs in country work-groups and on the second day they had to apply them jointly in a simulation exercise.
The exercise assumed the scenario of a 7.6 magnitude earthquake affecting both countries and causing a disaster with high numbers of injured persons, disappearances, deaths, and significant infrastructure damage in both countries. The earthquake also gave way to significant landslides and fires. In this context, both countries’ analysis, as part of the exercise, concluded that cross-border population movements could arise, with persons seeking medical assistance, shelter and food. Within these circumstances, the participants had to implement the SOPs and organize protection and assistance mechanisms for cross-border disaster-displacement cases.
Participants included representatives from both countries of relevant Ministries such as: migration, foreign affairs, health, affected populations, emergency response, disaster risk management, border management and security. National Red Cross Societies, IOM and UNHCR representatives also took part.
Preparing for Disaster Displacement across the Border of Armenia and Georgia
On 2 August 2017, the first inter-agency simulation exercise on humanitarian relief and disaster preparedness between Armenia and Georgia took place with the support of IOM.
At the request of the Armenian Ministry of Emergency Situations, IOM organized a simulation for 30 participants from concerned agencies at the Gogavan crossing on the Armenian-Georgian border. Georgian officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs responsible for Emergency Situations Management also participated in the exercise.
The simulation exercise aimed to build the capacity of Armenian officials in humanitarian crisis response, including disaster-induced displacement. The initiative comes on the heels of increased migration to Armenia, including from Syria, and rising concerns of climate-induced displacement.
“The mountainous part of the South Caucasus is one of the most seismically active regions in the world”, noted Ilona Ter-Minasyan, Head of the IOM Yerevan office. “As such, earthquakes, floods and landslides have the potential to devastate local populations and economies. The risk of hostilities in the region underlines the importance of joint simulations. It is crucial that border officials are well prepared.”
The simulation involved creation of a small camp just a few kilometers from the Gogavan border crossing point, where participants worked together to discuss shelter, access to food and clean water, sanitation facilities, and the medical needs of migrants.
“Such exercises should be conducted in the most realistic way possible in order to expose existing shortcomings and correct them”, said Davit Tonoyan, Armenia Minister for Emergencies, at the simulation.
Participants included representatives of border management, police, health, and agricultural agencies, who focused on striking a balance between humanitarian responsibility, the safety and dignity of migrants, and facilitating orderly migration through improved registration and protection.
This is a adapted version of the original article which appeared in IOM News.
Displacement and Migration in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change – The work of the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD)
7 September 2017 | New York, USA
