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

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

Report

Climate-fueled Violence and Displacement in the Lake Chad Basin: Focus on Chad and Cameroon

Report

We Were Warned: Unlearned Lessons of Famine in the Horn of Africa

Statement

Urgent Humanitarian Action Needed Following Storm Daniel and Flooding in Libya

Statement

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

Statement

IPCC Report Warns of Climate Crisis’ Impact on Displacement, Humanitarian Emergency

Commentary

The First International Migration Review Forum: Progress on Climate Migration?

Explainer

Tongan Volcanic Disaster Highlights Looming Threats of Climate Change for Countries at the Frontline

Commentary

COP26: 5 Takeaways for Climate Migration and Displacement

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

Human Rights and Forced Migration Speaker Series: Climate Impacts as Drivers of Displacement

Event

COP27: Migration, Losses & Damages

Testimony

Kayly Ober Testifies at Tom Lantos Hearing on Climate Change and Human Rights

Commentary

Malawi: The Canary in the Coalmine

Perspective

In Photos: Southern Africa Recovers From Twin Cyclones

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