Page 16 - IJPS-11-4

International Journal of
Population Studies Climate change, migration, and displacement

expected to last long or become disturbing, as their means formulate a unified response that is preventive rather than
of comfortable living through farming is jeopardized due merely reactionary to the impacts of climate change.
to destruction of the environment (Laube et al., 2012;
Lewin et al., 2012). 4.1. Strategies for disaster risk reduction
Forced migration usually subjects marginalized Strategies for disaster risk reduction are associated with
populations to new threats such as poverty, increasing the resilience of populations whose regions have
marginalization, and conflict (Alverio, et al., 2024). potential risks for sudden disasters such as floods, cyclones,
Urban areas that encounter a high influx of displaced and landslides (Warner, 2012). Some of the key strategies
individuals often find it hard to support them, resulting in include early warning systems, emergency preparedness
the establishment of oversubscribed slums (Ahsan, 2019). plans, and community-based disaster management
These shelters, which are often situated along riverbanks, programs where communities have the means and know-
flimsy hills, or flood plains, are also vulnerable to the how to tackle disasters when they happen. However,
impacts of climate change, once again placing the displaced in some regions, early warning systems for floods and
populations due to conflicts and wars at increased risk of cyclones worked by alerting people to move away from
displacement if their new shelters are affected by climate the areas of forecasts so that they would not be displaced
change. People displaced by the effects of climate change further away from their origin of residence (Peters et al.,
such as shifting weather patterns may also add to the 2022). Building both social and institutional resilience is
increasing competition over land and water resources fundamental because it enables vulnerable populations to
and sometimes lead to erosion of social peace and cope with the effects of climate change. This calls for the
stability among the already displaced populations (Islam need to improve the existing governance systems, enhance
et al., 2006). The patterns of involuntary resettlement the educational and health services available to the people,
differ in complexity depending on the type of climate and enable people at the community level to take part in
event, sociopolitical context, and resources available. the decision-making regarding climate change adaptation.
With natural catastrophes that occur within short time Social resilience emphasizes developing networks
frames such as in the case of floods or hurricanes, in among communities to enable them to help each other
most cases, displacements would only last for a brief during critical periods. This can be exemplified by local
period and occur within certain geographic limits (Gray cooperatives or social organizations playing an important
& Mueller, 2012). People who are more financially stable role in providing support to the people affected by climate
may be able to choose when to relocate and find safer change.
places away from areas affected by climate change, while
those poor or marginalized are left behind in increasingly 4.2. Strengthening migration governance
hostile conditions (Mpandeli et al., 2020). In some cases, Policies that deal with migration need to be adaptive to
these underprivileged groups might lack the resources to the impacts of climate change. Most migration policies
emigrate altogether and therefore may face confinement of states give little to no consideration to environmental
in miserable zones as the effects of climate change become factors such as migration drivers (Ahsan, 2019). This leaves
more severe. Bettini & Gioli (2015) argue that these those who are marginalized by climate events vulnerable.
persistent inequalities in displacement highlight the need For governance, this would mean developing strategies
for all stakeholders to put a preventive policy in place to that incorporate protective measures for climate change
address the disproportionate factors that make people refugees and other vulnerable groups. Frameworks such as
vulnerable to climate change, to democratize migration the Global Compact for Safe Orderly and Regular Migration
or adaptation in the face of climate change regardless of (GCM) and the Paris Agreement are useful for addressing
their social class. the displacement of people by climate conditions (Bufalini,
2019). Further, Mugambiwa & Makhubele (2023) assert
4. The need for a risk-informed approach that enhancing migration governance is necessary for

Addressing climate migration through risk assessment efficiently responding to the effects of climate change.
involves reconceptualizing migration as a phenomenon that A number of migration governance frameworks seem to
results from the prevailing vulnerability. It acknowledges focus only on sanctioned economic migrants and refugees
that climate change amplifies the already existing risk of conflict or war, addressing issues facing climate-induced
factors of poor health, insecurity, lack of food and water, forcibly displaced people in a limited manner (Gemenne,
and loss of livelihood, all of which are causes of migration. 2021). The lack of features such as proper legal definitions
These risk factors should be considered in the broader or instruments of protection within the climate migrant
national and international discussions on migration to legal framework creates a void in which many persons

Volume 11 Issue 4 (2025) 10 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.5165