Bangkok — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) jointly conducted on 7 - 8 December a workshop on “Preventing, Managing and Finding Solutions to Disaster and Climate-induced Displacement.”  

Given the increasing scale of disaster displacement and its vast consequences, the workshop brought together government officials from 12 countries across the Asia and Pacific region, as well as representatives from UN agencies and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to look into the pertinent topics of prevention, response and durable solutions to internal displacement in the regional context. 

Supporting stakeholders in finding better solutions to climate mobility, the event encouraged the participants to share best practices to manage climate-induced displacement and establish a community of national technical focal points on disaster response.  

Highlighting the importance of connecting stakeholders to seek solutions to climate-induced displacement, Sarah Lou Ysmael Arriola, IOM’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, said: “The outcomes of this workshop must strengthen our collective commitment to ensure reliable, effective and timely support to displaced populations affected by disasters. The workshop serves as a milestone towards the establishment of a regular community of practice between national focal points on disaster and climate change-induced displacement.” 

In the past decade, Asia and the Pacific have seen a staggering number of 225 million internal displacements due to climate-induced disasters. A study by IOM has also found that, in 2022 alone, 22.6 million people in the region were displaced by natural hazards, amounting to more than 70 per cent of the global total.  

Additionally, as the impacts of climate change intensify, the region faces not only extreme weather events but also heightened risks factors triggered by the deteriorating climate conditions, including poverty, conflict and more rapid environmental degradation. 

“The recently concluded mid-term review of the Sendai Framework underscores the growing concern about disaster displacement and its impact on vulnerable communities worldwide. Both the mid-term review and the workshop that we are proud to co-organize this week highlight the need for more comprehensive and integrated approaches to disaster risk reduction that address the root causes of displacement and build resilience among displaced populations,” said Marco Toscano-Rivalta, Chief of UNDRR Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.  

“We clearly see the need to advocate for strengthening risk assessment and early warning systems, investing in disaster-resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable development to reduce reliance on disaster-prone areas. We hope that this workshop will enhance our work in this regard.” 

Facilitated by experts from IOM, UNDRR, UNHCR, UNDP, IFRC and ICVA, the two-day event began with an introduction to the current dynamics of climate-induced displacement in Asia and the Pacific. Particular attention was placed on leveraging data to strengthen national capacity to address displacement, as well as an overview on the existing policy frameworks and relevant instruments to address climate-induced displacement.  

The discussion then proceeded to highlight the importance to strengthen disaster risk governance with anticipatory actions, improve evacuation preparedness through participatory approaches, and to include affected communities in the endeavours to seek more durable solutions. 

Organized through the Regional Disaster Displacement Working Group (DDWG) co-led by IOM and UNDRR as part of the UN Issue-based coalition on building resilience, the workshop marks a collaborative effort to address the challenges of climate-induced displacement in the region. 

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For more information, please contact: 

In Bangkok: Nima Tamaddon, IOM’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific , ntamaddon@iom.int, +66 06 2308 8581  

Anita Cadonau, UNDRR’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, anita.cadonau@un.org, +66 2288 2567