Migration is a term that refers to the movement of people from one region to another, either within the same country or to another country. The reasons why people migrate can vary widely, from seeking better opportunities for work and education to fleeing conflict, persecution or natural disaster. Migration can be voluntary or forced, and can have a significant impact on both source and destination communities.

Climate migration refers to the displacement of people due to extreme weather changes such as droughts, floods, storms or rising sea levels. Unfortunately, it is an increasingly common reality around the world as climate change intensifies. People who are forced to relocate due to these weather events are called “climate refugees”.

Climate migrations can occur in many ways. Through prolonged droughts that affect food production and drinking water, forcing people to move to other areas in search of resources. In situations of floods and storms that destroy homes and infrastructure, making the affected areas uninhabitable.

There is also a rise in sea level that threatens the existence of islands and low-lying coastal areas, forcing people to move to higher areas. In the context of low temperatures that make areas uninhabitable, as in the case of extreme heat waves or intense cold. These weather events can have a direct impact on people's livelihoods, making their homes and communities unsafe or unsustainable. As a result, many people are forced to migrate in search of better living conditions.

There are several movements in which climate refugees have been forced to experience traumatic displacement experiences. Syria's prolonged drought, which began in 2006, led to a mass migration of farmers to cities, exacerbating political tensions and contributing to the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Recurrent floods in Bangladesh forced millions of people to relocate. move to higher and safer areas. Sea level rise in the South Pacific has driven many islanders to move to other islands or countries such as New Zealand. Another point is the droughts in sub-Saharan Africa that have led many people to migrate to other areas in search of water and food.

O UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) recognizes the importance of mitigating the environmental impact in refugee camps and settlements, and is implementing measures to address this issue.

One of the approaches adopted by UNHCR is the creation of a Strategic Approach to Climate Action, which encompasses three pillars of response. The first pillar focuses on legal and regulatory work related to the protection of people displaced by climate change. The objective is to guarantee access to protection for those who are forced to move due to these changes, providing guidance and promoting international discussions on the subject.

Under the second pillar, UNHCR seeks to increase the resilience of displaced people to climate and other environmental hazards by strengthening disaster preparedness. This includes support for environmental management and the use of renewable energy at the travel locations. A practical example of this effort is the Kutupalong camp in Bangladesh, which received a large number of Rohingya refugees.

When these refugees arrived, the main source of energy for cooking was firewood cut from nearby forests, which led to the depletion of this natural resource. To address this situation, UNHCR provided Liquefied Petroleum Gas as an alternative, thereby reducing the need to cut down trees.

This initiative not only improves the health of camp inhabitants by preventing the inhalation of wood smoke, but also protects the forests around the camp and reduces the risk of landslides, contributing to community resilience in the face of natural disasters and extreme weather conditions.

The third pillar of UNHCR's climate approach relates to the organization's efforts to become more environmentally sustainable. This involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing negative impacts on the environment.

UNHCR seeks to improve data collection on energy consumption and identify areas for transitioning to sustainable and renewable energy sources.

In addition, UNHCR is exploring ways to expand microprojects and environmental investments, as well as energy initiatives, in line with national plans for environment, adaptation and sustainable energy. The scale of these actions is crucial, as significant effort is required to achieve effective results. For example, planting 100 hectares of trees is not enough, but the goal should be to plant 100,000 hectares. It is essential to ensure that local communities perceive the benefits of these environmental actions, encouraging their engagement and active participation.

In short, UNHCR is committed to mitigating the environmental impact on refugee camps and settlements through measures such as legal protection, strengthening the resilience of displaced communities and striving for environmental sustainability. These actions are essential to ensure the protection and dignity of displaced people, while contributing to preserving the environment and reducing the risks associated with climate change.

South Sudan and the Floods that Aggravate the Humanitarian Crisis

In recent years, South Sudan has faced a number of challenges and adversities, with floods being one of the biggest concerns. Since 2019, the country has experienced the worst floods in the last six decades, causing significant damage to infrastructure, roads, bridges and directly affecting the lives of millions of people.

Devastating floods affected vast areas of the country, resulting in an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Schools, hospitals and other essential facilities were destroyed, limiting access to education and health care. Vital infrastructure for the basic functioning of the country was severely damaged, making life even more difficult for the affected communities.

According to the United Nations, nearly one million people were directly affected by the floods. These people lost their homes, their sources of livelihood and were deprived of access to essential services. The situation is alarming and requires an urgent and comprehensive response to address the needs of the most affected communities.

In addition to the floods, South Sudan is also facing other humanitarian crises. Currently, approximately 8.3 million people in the country need humanitarian assistance to survive. This situation is compounded by the fact that an estimated 2.3 million people have been forcibly displaced and become refugees, making South Sudan the third largest refugee crisis in the world after Syria and Afghanistan.

This combination of humanitarian challenges, including flooding, forced displacement and lack of access to essential services, places an unsustainable burden on the people of South Sudan. Humanitarian assistance is crucial to provide immediate support to affected communities, ensuring safety, food, access to clean water, health care and education.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is facing an urgent challenge due to the crisis in Sudan, and recently launched an interagency funding appeal worth US$ 470.4 million. This appeal aims to provide assistance and support to over one million people affected by the crisis, including refugees, returnees and third-country nationals.

The crisis in Sudan has had a devastating impact on people's lives, resulting in mass displacement, shortages of basic resources and widespread hardship. To address this critical situation, UNHCR is appealing for additional resources and funding to address the urgent needs of refugees and the host community.

UNHCR highlighted the importance of obtaining financial support to provide shelter, food, water and health facilities for those affected. These basic needs are essential to ensure the survival and well-being of people affected by the crisis. Furthermore, humanitarian assistance is crucial to help mitigate the negative impacts of the crisis and provide a ray of hope for those who are facing these challenges.

UNHCR's appeal highlights the importance of global solidarity and donor support. It is a call to action for all countries and organizations that have the capacity to help to come together and provide the necessary resources to address this humanitarian crisis.

The crisis in Sudan calls for a comprehensive and coordinated response, involving joint efforts by humanitarian organizations, governments and local communities. A collective effort is crucial to ensure that those affected receive the vital assistance they need.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has had devastating consequences for neighboring countries, which already face significant challenges in terms of hosting refugees and internally displaced people. These countries, often with insufficient levels of humanitarian funding, now have to deal with a significant increase in humanitarian needs due to the chaos in Sudan.

Furthermore, countries such as Chad and South Sudan, which are already considered the world's two least developed countries, are facing multiple crises, including hunger, insecurity and the impacts of climate change. Instability and collapse of supply chains due to conflict have driven up food and fuel costs, further exacerbating the precarious situation of these nations.

Those who do manage to cross the borders, mostly women and children, arrive with urgent needs for food, water, shelter, medical care and basic survival items. In addition, it is essential to provide psychosocial support for those who have witnessed or experienced appalling violence during the conflict. Preventing and responding to gender-based violence are also crucial priorities in this context.

With the rainy season approaching in a few weeks, there is urgency to provide early assistance to remote border regions before roads become impassable. Infrastructure damaged by previous floods in South Sudan has made it even more difficult for refugees to return to their areas of origin, exacerbating the challenges faced by those who manage to return home. Many local communities are still recovering from the effects of years of conflict, making the situation even more complex.

To address this growing humanitarian crisis, it is crucial for the international community to mobilize significant resources and support for host countries and the humanitarian organizations involved. Global solidarity is essential to ensure that the urgent needs of refugees and displaced people are met, and that these countries receive the support they need to deal with the continuous flow of people seeking safety and protection.

Therefore, UNHCR is mobilizing emergency teams in neighboring countries to deal with the continuous flow of people fleeing Sudan. Working in collaboration with national authorities and local partners, UNHCR is registering new arrivals and ensuring that their most immediate needs are met. However, this is just the beginning.

Within Sudan, clashes in Khartoum and Darfur have constrained the ability of humanitarian agencies, including UNHCR, to provide assistance. However, where the security situation permits, UNHCR is visiting refugee settlements and working in partnership with the Sudanese Refugee Commission to provide protection and assistance. Water and basic health services are still available, and the World Food Program has restarted distribution of food assistance in refugee camps in eastern Sudan.

Faced with the magnitude of the needs and challenges faced, UNHCR makes an urgent appeal to the international community to obtain new funding and respond effectively to the growing humanitarian crisis. The needs are vast and the lack of support could have significant implications for peace and stability not just in Sudan but across the region.

UN-Sponsored Event Raises Nearly US$ 1.5 Billion to Help Sudan in Humanitarian Crisis

Donors recently announced nearly US$ 1.5 billion in funding to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan and the region at a donation event supported by the United Nations. As the conflict in Sudan continues to wreak havoc, refugees and displaced people suffer from violence and seek safety across borders.

Half of Sudan's population, some 24.7 million people, most of them children, are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection. While 1.7 million people have been internally displaced, half a million refugees, asylum seekers and returnees have sought shelter in neighboring countries to escape violence, including alarming reports of ethnic killings in Darfur.

Humanitarian operations are ongoing across Sudan, but they face obstacles such as looting, violence and bureaucracy. Despite the insecurity, humanitarian workers persist and provide essential aid.

Event organizers highlighted the importance of all parties involved in Sudan adhering to the “Declaration of Commitment to protect civilians and facilitate and respect humanitarian action in Sudan”, signed in May 2023. This includes prioritizing discussions to reach a lasting conciliation , ensure safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid and fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law.

In addition, the organizers reaffirmed their commitment to providing principled and needs-based humanitarian assistance, addressing the most critical demands of people in Sudan and those who have been forced to flee to neighboring countries.

To ensure rapid and effective delivery of aid, it is crucial to remove bureaucratic impediments in Sudan, such as visa and movement restrictions. Stakeholders in Sudan must also allow for the flow of supplies and humanitarian personnel from other areas of the country and neighboring countries, including Darfur, where nearly 9 million people are in need of assistance. In addition, it is essential to allow people to move freely in search of security.

The funds announced today will support the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people and countries hosting those displaced by the fighting. More than 80 governments, international humanitarian organizations and aid authorities participated in the event, also highlighting the importance of long-term support to strengthen the resilience of Sudanese communities and host communities in neighboring countries.

The UN underscored the urgent need for funding in the face of the growing crisis in Sudan. He highlighted the hard work of humanitarian workers, including local partners, who continue to provide help to people in extremely dangerous and challenging situations. The funding announced today will be critical to saving millions of lives in these difficult circumstances.

How Refugee Connectivity Can Change the World

 Refugee Connectivity is a bold and innovative approach that seeks to connect millions of people who have been forced to flee their home countries. In the face of growing humanitarian needs and the increasing importance of technology in modern life, ensuring connectivity for refugees has become a crucial priority.

Connectivity plays a key role in refugees' lives, providing them with access to vital information, essential services, and education and employment opportunities. Through mobile devices, the internet and other technologies, refugees can communicate with their families, access learning resources, pursue remote work opportunities and get involved in the communities in which they live.

This bold approach aims to overcome the geographic and social barriers refugees face, while providing them with a means to connect with the outside world. Connectivity not only increases refugees' resilience and autonomy, it also gives them a sense of belonging and hope amidst adverse circumstances.

Implementing this approach requires collaborative efforts between governments, humanitarian organizations, technology companies and local communities. The expansion of telecommunications infrastructure in areas of refuge, access to mobile devices and the provision of affordable internet services are essential steps to ensure connectivity for refugees.

In addition, it is important to provide training and capacity building so that refugees can effectively use technology and take full advantage of the opportunities it offers. This includes developing digital skills, digital literacy and basic cybersecurity knowledge.

However, it is important to recognize that refugee connectivity faces significant challenges, such as a lack of adequate infrastructure, legal and financial constraints, and the need to protect refugees' personal data. These issues must be addressed comprehensively and collaboratively to ensure that all refugees can benefit from this transformative approach.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the GSMA – the trade association for mobile operators – have launched a transformative agenda to connect refugees around the world. With the aim of ensuring available and accessible connectivity in all major refugee reception areas by 2030, these organizations are working to promote the digital inclusion of more than 20 million displaced people and local communities.

During a joint visit to Ethiopia, it became clear first-hand how digital connectivity is playing a crucial role in the lives of refugees and displaced people. Through access to mobile devices, financial services, online healthcare, connected education and employment opportunities in the digital economy, connectivity has become conducive to these communities.

In light of this, the organizations launched an urgent global call to increase investment and establish an enabling regulatory framework that ensures connectivity for displaced and stateless people, as well as for the communities that host them. The shared vision is of a connected society, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

While challenges remain, such as accessibility for those who are still out of reach, the initiative seeks to find affordable ways to connect forcibly displaced people. The visit to Ethiopia allowed witnessing the importance of digital technology for these communities, reinforcing the need to expand access to meaningful connectivity in a safe and affordable way.

UNHCR, ITU and GSMA are mobilizing investment and political commitment to include refugees in national digital connectivity frameworks and objectives. In addition, they aim to lay the groundwork for advancing connectivity as a community need and a key part of the digital transformation in the humanitarian sector. Through data, promising practices and new business models, they are working to create sustainable solutions and bring displaced communities online.

To achieve these goals, they are seeking at least US$ 20 million in core support, in addition to at least US$ 200 million in direct investments and contributions to drive the refugees' connectivity agenda. More detailed plans are underway, including in Ethiopia, to make this vision a reality. Connectivity is seen as a powerful tool to empower and improve the lives of refugees, providing them with access to the essential opportunities and services needed to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.