UN Warns of More Climate Refugees If Investments Not Made: COP29

Baku, 12 Nov (ONA) --- The UN refugee agency today warned of increasing numbers of refugees from regions that are particularly affected by climate change if investments are not made to improve the environment.

The UNHCR report was presented at the UN's Climate Change Conference, or COP29, in Baku.

"As climate shocks hit harder, more often and in more places, displaced people are increasingly finding themselves forced to move again and again in search of somewhere safe and habitable," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

The UNHCR said people flee in many regions due to violence and conflicts - but this is also fuelled by the struggle for resources that are dwindling due to climate change. Drinking water sources are drying up, land is becoming barren, sea levels are rising and people have to look for their livelihoods elsewhere.

Most refugees flee to neighbouring countries that are themselves badly affected by climate change. According to the UNHCR, 75% of the 123 million people who had fled their homes by the end of last year (2023) and were living elsewhere were in countries where the risk of climate change-related disasters was particularly high.

Over the past decade, an estimated 220 million people have had to leave their villages and cities at least temporarily due to climate change-related weather disasters.

--- Ends/Khalid