Our Work

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.

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.

Report

Localizing Climate Adaptation Planning in Kenya’s Refugee-Hosting Counties

Report

“It’s Time for Us to be Included”: An Assessment of Refugee and Displaced People’s Participation in National Adaptation Planning

Report

Two Years after Eta and Iota: Displaced and Forgotten in Guatemala

Statement

COP29 Must Address Displacement and Mobility

Statement

Three Years on From Biden’s Climate Migration Executive Order, It’s Time for Action

Statement

Urgent Humanitarian Action Needed Following Storm Daniel and Flooding in Libya

Opinion

USA Today: Climate Change Talks Can’t Keep Ignoring Refugees. What to do before COP29.

Opinion

Just Security: A New Bill Could Help the U.S. Lead on Climate Change and Displacement

Opinion

Just Security: It’s Not Too Late to Galvanize Action on Climate-Affected Mobility

Advocacy Letter

Protections for Climate-Affected Refugees and Other Climate-Displaced Populations Dear President Biden

Advocacy Letter

Letter: Leaders of Refugee, Policy Organizations Call on Biden Administration to Prioritize Climate Impacted Populations for Resettlement

Advocacy Letter

Climate, Migration, and Displacement Platform Open Letter to President Biden

Event

Find Us at COP29: Virtual Convenings and Events in Baku

Event

Living in Displacement in the Climate Emergency: Refugees and Climate Shocks

Event

Find Refugees International at COP28: Virtual Convenings and Events in Dubai

Commentary

The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage Must Listen to Affected Communities

Commentary

In Global Climate Talks, Let Afghanistan In

Commentary

Malawi: The Canary in the Coalmine

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