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Who are climate refugees? Experts say defining displaced people key to policy, aid


International organizations and countries must agree to a universal definition of what it means to be a climate refugee, in order to better help those displaced by the effects of climate change, experts told Al Arabiya English.

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The United Nations defines a refugee as a person who is outside his or her home country owing to reasons including feared persecution and violence and needs international protection.

Almost 150 countries have signed the UN Refugee Convention since it was first established in 1951. These countries are obliged to take in refugees and provide them with the basic aspects of housing and education, among other necessities.

However, no such protocol exists for those who have been displaced by the effects of climate change such as drought, heavy flooding or hurricanes.

“[Until] we’re all on the same page on what a climate migrant is, a lot of people will keep falling through the cracks and a lot of people will continue to be denied the services or care they deserve,” Jay Balagna, the disaster risk management researcher at US think-tank RAND, told Al Arabiya English.

No clear international definition on a climate migrant also means experts may disagree on the number of climate refugees or the number of people who have been displaced from their homes due to extreme weather and other effects of climate change.

Climate change, and effects stemming from it, such as extreme floods or drought, could force more than 200 million people to become internally displaced within their countries by 2050, the World Bank said in a 2021 estimate.

This estimate, though, does not include people forced to cross borders because of climate disasters or climate-related problems. This means that the actual number of people displaced by climate change may be higher than what is documented.

Because a climate refugee is not officially recognized by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), “it’s hard to put a specific number on climate refugees”, Dubai-based Joe Y. Battikh, Head of Energy & Water Knowledge Hub with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), told Al Arabiya English.

Climate or conflict migrants?

Another question about who falls into the category of a climate refugee stems from the fact that a lot of countries suffering from climate change are also affected by conflicts such as war. This means it is hard to determine who has been displaced because of the conflict and who by climate change, or even a mixture of both.

Armed conflict in the Middle East, for example, is exacerbating the effects of climate change across parts of the region, a report from the Norwegian Red Cross said earlier this year.

“Countries that are impacted already by conflict are having a hard time dealing with climate change,” Battikh said.

The are several countries in the region affected by both climate change and conflict, including Sudan and Syria.

Sudan is currently suffering a civil war between the Rapid Support Forces and the country’s armed forces – a war that began this April and forced thousands to flee and resulted in hundreds of deaths. The country also suffers from the effects of droughts and depletion of water sources.

Civil war has gripped Syria since 2011, killing hundreds and destroying infrastructure. The country also faces increasing drought and temperatures.

Dealing with climate migration patchy across the globe

Despite no single term to define what a climate migrant or refugee is, experts agree that more steps need to be taken to mitigate the effects of climate change so that less people are forced to move because of it.

Some countries, such as Kenya and Bangladesh, are taking more action than others to address the issues of climate migration.

Kenya has published several action plans to deal with climate change and those displaced by the effects of it. Some of these plans include improving the country’s infrastructure against flooding, as well as developing early-warning systems for drought, to reduce the impact of climate change on livelihoods, so they are not forced to leave their homes in search of alternative sources of incomes.

The population of Kenya depends on agriculture and is predicted to face rising temperatures and alternating periods of drought and flooding over the coming years.

Bangladesh, in 2015, said it would make vulnerable communities in the country “resilient to climate change and disasters through sustainable management of disaster and climate-induced internal displacement”, according to the government’s climate action plan.

Herders face a struggle to continue their way of life in conflict-torn Somalia, which is facing a climate crisis. (File photo))

Herders face a struggle to continue their way of life in conflict-torn Somalia, which is facing a climate crisis. (File photo))

This includes measures for those displaced by climate change or to stop people from being forced to move because of it. The measures include making households better at managing climate disasters and creating a more resilient agriculture system to cope better with flooding.

Yet, not all countries have such coherent plans in place.

Iraq in 2021 suffered from a severe drought, following low rainfall across the Eastern Mediterranean, which contributed to decreased water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The situation was compounded by high temperatures and low spring rainfall.

By September 2021, two million people in Iraq were experiencing food insecurity, with the internally displaced people among the worst affected, the Norwegian Red Cross said in its report this April.

Battikh feels that more needs to be done in the region to tackle the effects of climate change and related migration, such as reducing water scarcity and air pollution.

He suggested better water management to cope with water shortage and planting more trees to address air pollution. Efficient urban planning and better public transport may also help cities overflowing with an influx of people who have moved out of rural areas as part of climate-related migration.

Going forward, countries may be required to look internally for solutions to climate displacement, rather than expect guidelines from international organizations such as the UN.

“The bulk of policymaking or political effort will (not) come from places like the UN. I think it’s going to be something that countries [ought to] manage themselves,” Balagna said.

And the problem is not set to get any better, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in March this year warning that governments need to take action on climate-related displacement. The IPPC report highlights the need for governments to increase “climate resilience as a measure against displacement.”

“It is [climate migration] not something that will reduce in terms of numbers … and it definitely needs to be addressed,” Battikh added.

Read more:

Climate change amid armed conflict exacerbating humanitarian needs across Middle East

How is the Middle East and North Africa affected by climate change?

Iraq drought impacts potable water supply, crop yields: Aid group

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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