Over 12 mn displaced in 6 months due to climate related disasters

NEW DELHI: A new report by The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) revealed that 12.6 million people have been internally displaced worldwide in the last six months due to climate and weather-related disasters. The report named Responding to Disasters and Displacement in a Changing Climate was released on Tuesday, March 16, 2021.

Helen Brunt, Asia Pacific Migration and Displacement Coordinator, IFRC, said that in the last six months 80 per cent of the 12.6 million displaced forcefully are due to disasters which are triggered by climate and weather disruptions. She added that Asia suffers more than any other region which is affecting some of the poorest communities who are already suffering sue to economic and social impacts of COVID-19 pandemic.

The report examines climate-related disasters and post-earthquake response across eight countries conducted by National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in coordination with the government and other agencies. It found that displacement affects already marginalised and vulnerable groups including women, children, people with disabilities, migrants and refugees.

The report shows that when the people are displaced due to disaster and it destroys villages and entire neighbourhoods, people face long-term housing, land and property issues. Women and children are also at increased risks of violence due to climate-related displacement, the report mentioned.

Brunt said that the world is seeing an alarming trend of people affected by extreme weather conditions such as Typhoon Goni, world’s most ferocious storm last year. Three storms hit the Philippines leaving over 3 million people displaced. She added that investment in the long-term solutions is urgently required before the disaster forces more people away from their homes.