Nearly 90 million displaced people face severe climate risks, UN warns
Nearly 90 million forcibly displaced people worldwide are exposed to severe climate-related hazards, including droughts, floods and extreme heat, the UN refugee agency warned on Friday.
In its latest report, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said nearly three in four forcibly displaced people live in countries facing high to extreme exposure to climate risks.
The agency called for urgent international action to protect vulnerable communities ahead of the COP31 climate summit, scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye.
"Refugees face a double injustice. Forced to flee conflicts they did not cause, they are now on the frontlines of a climate crisis they have contributed least to," said Anton Leis Garcia, UNHCR's assistant high commissioner for operations.
He warned that climate change was already undermining livelihoods and threatening the future of millions of displaced people.
Extreme heat and flooding increase displacement risks
The report highlighted the growing impact of extreme temperatures on refugee communities, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
By 2050, one in three refugee settlements in the region could experience at least 100 days of dangerous heat annually. More than half of the locations assessed could face at least 50 additional days of extreme heat each year.
Flooding also poses a growing threat. UNHCR estimates that weather-related disasters triggered more than 255 million internal displacements worldwide over the past decade, equivalent to an average of approximately 70,000 displacements per day.
The agency further warned that severe flooding associated with a particularly strong El Niño could displace up to three million people across Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda by the end of 2026.
The scale of potential displacement will depend on the severity of the flooding.
Climate change threatens return and recovery
UNHCR also warned that worsening climate conditions could undermine efforts to achieve lasting solutions for refugees.
More than two in three refugees who returned home during the first half of 2026 went back to countries vulnerable to climate-related hazards, according to the report.
The agency also highlighted the growing connection between climate change and statelessness.
Nearly 90% of the world's 4.7 million reported stateless people live in countries facing high to extreme climate risks.
Without legal recognition, many struggle to access emergency assistance, disaster relief and support for adapting to changing environmental conditions.
UN calls for greater climate financing
Despite the increasing risks, fragile and conflict-affected countries receive only around 10% of global climate finance, UNHCR said.
Leis Garcia called for climate funding to reach communities facing the greatest challenges, stressing that refugees and host communities must be included in investment and adaptation programmes.
The agency plans to urge governments and international institutions at COP31 to incorporate displaced populations into national climate strategies and financing mechanisms.
Türkiye's role as host of the November climate summit carries particular significance, given its position as one of the world's largest refugee-hosting countries.
UNHCR said the conference offers an important opportunity to ensure that displacement, refugee protection and the needs of host communities become an integral part of global climate action.
Source:AA
