(AFP, Geneva) The United Nations has called for financial support for the most vulnerable groups at the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) as large numbers of refugees are caught in a vicious cycle of conflict and extreme climate events.
According to a report released Monday (November 10) by the UNHCR, regions currently hosting nearly half of the world's refugees are at extreme risk of climate-related shocks over the next 15 years.
The report states that climate shocks increase humanitarian needs and amplify the risk of repeated displacement. "Climate change not only exacerbates existing vulnerabilities but also fuels the trend of population displacement, posing complex and compounded risks to refugees."
The UNHCR points out that as of mid-year, the number of people forcibly displaced by war, violence, and persecution has reached 117 million, three-quarters of whom live in countries facing high to extreme climate risks.
In the past decade, weather disasters have also displaced approximately 250 million people within countries around the world.
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UNHCR Executive Director Jacques Grandi said extreme weather is destroying homes and livelihoods, forcing many families fleeing violent regions to relocate. “They are among the hardest hit by severe droughts, deadly floods, and record-breaking heat waves, yet lack the resources needed to rebuild,” he said.
The UNHCR says that by 2050, the world’s 15 hottest refugee camps are projected to experience nearly 200 days of dangerously high temperatures annually. “Many of these areas are likely to become uninhabitable due to the deadly combination of extreme heat and humidity.”
The report also states that by 2040, the number of countries facing extreme weather-related disasters is expected to increase from three to 65, countries that host more than 45% of the world’s conflict-displaced population.
Grandi emphasized the importance of funding in protecting refugees from extreme weather. He said, “To prevent further displacement, climate finance must reach those already on the margins. COP30 must deliver concrete action, not empty promises.”
