Climate Displacement

Each year, climate and weather-related events drive tens of millions of people from their homes. And as climate change causes more extreme weather, growing food insecurity, and rising sea levels, more people will become climate displaced. 

People who lose their homes in these disasters are not considered “refugees,” and thus are not afforded the same international protections. Refugees International is leading efforts to address this enormous gap in international law, build resiliency in frontline communities, and forge innovative protection pathways for people displaced by climate.

Our Work

History of Our Climate Displacement Program

Since 2009, Refugees International’s Climate Displacement Program has advocated for climate-displaced people and offered cutting-edge expertise on the complex relationship between extreme weather, climate change, and displacement. 

The Climate Displacement Program was the inspiration of Refugees International’s late president Ken Bacon, who witnessed what happened when persistent drought fueled ethnic tensions in Darfur—sparking one of the worst conflicts in recent history. With a founding gift from Ken and generous contributions from the Bacon family and a core group of supporters, the Climate Displacement Program became a reality shortly after Ken’s death.

Media Inquiries

For more information or to set up an interview, contact Sarah Sheffer, vice president for strategic outreach, at ssheffer@refugeesinternational.org.

Your donations support our critical work.

Refugees International advocates for lifesaving assistance, human rights, and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises around the world. We do not accept any government or UN funding, ensuring the independence and credibility of our work.

Banner Photo Caption: People are seen in a drought affected area in Mandera, Kenya on December 02, 2022. © Gerald Anderson/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images