CLIMATE CHANGE, DISASTERS AND HUMAN MOBILITY IN SOUTH ASIA AND THE INDIAN OCEAN

Transcription

1 CLIMATE CHANGE, DISASTERS AND HUMAN MOBILITY IN SOUTH ASIA AND THE INDIAN OCEAN OUTCOME REPORT Nansen Initiative Regional Consultation, Khulna, Bangladesh, 3-5 April 2015 DISASTERS CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISPLACEMENT EVIDENCE FOR ACTION NRC NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL

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3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Consultation was co-organized by the Government of Bangladesh, the Nansen Initiative and the International Organization for Migration, with financial support from the European Union. The Nansen Initiative South Asian Regional Consultation is supported by the generous contributions of: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA

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5 CONTENTS FOREWORD BY THE NANSEN INITIATIVE SECRETARIAT CONCLUSIONS OF THE NANSEN INITIATIVE SOUTH ASIAN REGIONAL CONSULTATION Message from the Government of Bangladesh Summary of Conclusions: Nansen Initiative Regional Consultation in South Asia Closing Session THE TECHNICAL WORKSHOP Inaugural Plenary Government of Bangladesh Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative Envoy of the Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative Government of the Philippines Government of Nepal Inauguration by Chief Guest Presentations and Discussions Introduction and Structure of the Workshop Overview of Human Mobility in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change across the Regions Protection, Assistance and Durable Solutions for Displaced Persons in the Context of Disasters: Country Experiences Migration as Adaptation to Natural Hazards, Disasters and Climate Change: Opportunities and Challenges Managing Disaster and Displacement Risks: Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Building Field Trip to Dacope Sutarkhali Union From Khulna to the Global Consultation in Geneva ANNEXES South Asian Regional Consultation Agenda Participant List...32 Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean 5

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7 FOREWORD BY THE NANSEN INITIATIVE SECRETARIAT This report summarizes the outcomes of the fifth Nansen Initiative Regional Consultation, which was hosted by the Government of Bangladesh in Khulna from 3-5 April 2015 to discuss Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean. The overall objectives of the Nansen Initiative South Asian Regional Consultation were to identify specific challenges and opportunities that the region faces related to explore the issues related to human mobility 1 (displacement, migration and planned relocation) in the context of disasters and climate change. The Consultation brought together more than 100 participants representing governments of nine countries from South Asia and the Indian Ocean, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco and Oman as well as representatives from the Philippines, the Nansen Initiative and its Chairmanship, and representatives from regional and international organizations, UN Agencies, civil society and research institutions. On the third day, participants presented the Summary of Conclusions document, which contains recommendations that require action at the community, national, regional and international level (Chapter 1.2) to enhance regional and international efforts to address the needs and challenges associated with human mobility in the context of disasters and climate change. The Consultation was co-organized by the Government of Bangladesh, the Nansen Initiative and the International Organization for Migration, with financial support from the European Union. Launched by the Governments of Norway and Switzerland in October 2012, the Nansen Initiative is a state-led, bottom-up consultative process intended to build consensus on the development of a protection agenda addressing the needs of people displaced across international borders in the context of natural hazards, including those linked to the effects of climate change. 2 To feed the Nansen Initiative process with practical experiences and build consensus, inter-governmental Regional Consultations and Civil Society Meetings are taking place in the Pacific, Central America, the Horn of Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia over the course of 2013 to The South Asian Civil Society meeting was held in Kathmandu, Nepal from 3-4 February Outcome documents from all Regional Consultations contain recommendations for further action at the community, national, regional and international levels. In October 2015 the results of the Nansen Initiative Regional Consultations and Civil Society Meetings will be consolidated and discussed at a global inter-governmental meeting in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss a protection agenda for cross-border displacement in the context of disasters. The Nansen Initiative does not seek to develop new legal standards, but rather to discuss and build consensus among states on the potential elements of a protection agenda, which may include standards of treatment. Its outcomes may be taken up at domestic, regional and global levels and lead to new laws, soft law instruments or binding agreements. 1 In this document, human mobility includes displacement, migration and planned relocation or resettlement. The term displacement refers to situations where people are forced to leave their homes or places of habitual residence. The term migration is used to refer to movements that are predominantly voluntary. Planned relocation, in some countries called resettlement, refers to the organized movement, normally of a community, which can be voluntary or involuntary. 2 The Nansen Initiative is funded by the Governments of Norway and Switzerland, with additional financial support from the European Commission, the Government of Germany, and the MacArthur Foundation. It is governed by a Steering Group, which at the time of writing is comprised of nine Member States: Australia, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Germany, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, and Switzerland. A Consultative Committee informs the process through expertise provided by representatives from international organizations addressing displacement and migration issues, climate change and development researchers, think tanks, and NGOs. The Envoy of the Chairmanship represents the Nansen Initiative throughout the process, providing strategic guidance and input. Finally, the Nansen Initiative Secretariat, based in Geneva, supports the process with additional strategic, research, and administrative capacity. Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean 7

8 1. CONCLUSIONS OF THE NANSEN INITIATIVE SOUTH ASIAN REGIONAL CONSULTATION 1.1 MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF BANGLADESH Mr. Md. Shahidul Haque Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bangladesh knows firsthand the challenges posed by disasters and the effects of climate change, with their impact on vulnerable people as one of the most pressing. Each year, an estimated five million people are displaced by cyclones and floods in Bangladesh. While affected communities have developed impressive coping and adaptive capacities in response to cyclones, seasonal flooding and salinization, displacement still poses significant challenges for helping them rebuild their livelihoods and ensure their future safety. In response to these and other challenges posed by disaster displacement not only in Bangladesh, but across the region, the Government of Bangladesh was pleased to host the final Nansen Initiative Regional Consultation, Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean in Khulna, Bangladesh from 3-5 April As an active member of the Nansen Initiative Steering Group since its beginning in October 2012, Bangladesh has consistently underlined the importance of collaboration at all levels to ensure that the needs of vulnerable communities affected by climate change and disasters are addressed. Consequently, the Government of Bangladesh felt it was critical to bring the Regional Consultation participants to visit Dacope Sutarkhali Union, an area still recovering from the devastating 2009 Cyclone Aila, as a reminder that people should be at the center of the discussions. We believe that the Summary of Conclusions produced during this Regional Consultation, drawing together over 90 participants from ten countries in the South Asia and Indian Ocean region, usefully encapsulates not only the challenges facing disaster displaced persons, migrants and other communities affected by disasters and climate change, but also identifies a clear set of actions that should be taken in the future to help avoid future disaster displacement when possible, and to prepare to respond when movement is unavoidable. The Government of Bangladesh is committed to sharing the outcomes of this Regional Consultation within relevant processes region, but also to being a strong for the region at the global level, such as through the Climate Vulnerability Forum, within the ongoing UN climate change negotiations, deliberations on the post-2015 development goals, and during the October 2015 Nansen Initiative Global Consultation. On behalf of the Government of Bangladesh, I would like to thank the Governments of Norway and Switzerland as well as the European Commission for their leadership and support for this Regional Consultation. I would also like to express my appreciation for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Bangladesh for their professional and skilled organizational support. Finally, I would like to thank the many government representatives, as well as the representatives from international organizations, academic institutions, and civil society organizations, for your active participation during the Regional Consultation. Collectively, we can ensure that the important issue of human mobility in the context of disasters and the effects of climate change is addressed now, and in the future. 8 OUTCOME REPORT

9 1.2 SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS: NANSEN INITIATIVE REGIONAL CONSULTATION IN SOUTH ASIA The following Summary of Conclusions from the Nansen Initiative South Asian Regional Consultation was prepared by a drafting committee comprised of representatives from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Mauritius based on outcomes from the technical workshop. Participants from Pakistan and Oman participated as observers. Delegates from the Government of Bangladesh read the text aloud to the plenary on behalf of the drafting committee. The document was considered and subsequently validated by participants on the last day of the Regional Consultation. SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS: NANSEN INITIATIVE REGIONAL CONSULTATION IN SOUTH ASIA CLIMATE CHANGE, DISASTERS AND HUMAN MOBILITY IN SOUTH ASIA AND THE INDIAN OCEAN, KHULNA, BANGLADESH, 3-5 APRIL 2015 More than 90 participants representing governments of ten countries from South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka; 3 as well as representatives from the Nansen Initiative, including its Chairmanship, Steering Group, and Group of Friends; and representatives from regional and international organizations, UN Agencies, civil society organizations and research institutions, met in Khulna, Bangladesh from 3-5 April 2015 for the fifth Nansen Initiative Regional Consultation under the theme Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean. The participants expressed their appreciation to the Government of Bangladesh for hosting and the Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative and IOM Bangladesh for supporting this important consultation. They particularly appreciated the opportunity to experience first-hand the challenges faced by victims of disasters and climate change living in Dacope Sutarkhali Union, Bangladesh, and recognized their plight. The participants welcomed the Nansen Initiative, which is a state-led, 4 bottom-up consultative process intended to build consensus on a protection agenda that addresses the needs of people displaced across borders in the context of sudden and slow-onset disasters and the effects of climate change. These conclusions from the South Asia and Indian Ocean Regional Consultation, along with those from other regional consultations, will be submitted to the Nansen Initiative Global Consultation that will take place in Geneva in October 2015, and shared within relevant regional and international fora, including the UNFCCC negotiations and the World Humanitarian Summit. Participants recognized that South Asia and the Indian Ocean region is exposed to a wide array of natural hazards with the potential to trigger human mobility, including sudden-onset hazards (e.g. tropical cyclones, flash floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, avalanches and glacial lake outburst floods), as well as slow-onset ones (e.g. sea level rise, desertification, droughts, riverbank erosion). Participants emphasized that climate change is already a reality for States in the regions, and expressed concern that, given countries high exposure and current adaptive capacity, they will increasingly face the adverse effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels, salt water intrusion, coastal erosion, glacial melting, drought, and variable intensity and frequency of rainfall patterns and monsoon seasons. Participants recognized that disasters have no regard for national borders, and so emphasized the importance of bilateral, regional and international cooperation in addressing related human mobility challenges. At the same time, the participants noted that despite the similar problems in the region, their magnitude and nature are country specific due to their different geographical conditions and specificities. Noting the multi-causal nature of displacement, participants expressed concern that the impacts of climate change combined with rapidly growing, densely populated urban areas, population growth, and pre-existing vulnerabilities linked to social inequalities and poverty are likely to increase displacement and migration in the future, including across international borders. They highlighted that such effects threaten affected persons full enjoyment of human rights, including by damaging housing and infrastructure, restricting resource availability, and negatively impact- 3 The Governments of the Sultanate of Oman and Pakistan participated as observers. 4 The Nansen Initiative Steering Group includes Australia, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Germany, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, the Philippines, and Switzerland. Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean 9

10 ing livelihoods and food security, especially for small, agrarian, and marginalized households in low-lying and mountain areas. Participants stressed the particular consequences of climate change and natural hazards on Small Island Developing States, such as coastal erosion, coral bleaching, and salt water intrusion, and recognized that most of the related displacement is likely to be internal. Participants also expressed concern that such impacts may cause substantial economic losses and erase decades of development advances. Participants acknowledged natural hazards have resulted in significant displacement in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, with an estimated 46 million people displaced by sudden-onset disasters in South Asia between 2008 and For example, participants recalled the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced well over one million people in Sri Lanka, India, and the Maldives. Participants also highlighted the 2007 and 2009 cyclones Sidr and Aila, which displaced hundreds of thousands of people in Bangladesh, the 2005 earthquake in northern Pakistan, and the prolonged drought of in Afghanistan. They also recalled the 2014 landslide and river block in Sindhupalchwok, Nepal, and the 2015 landslide in Ab-barik District, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan. The participants recalled that the vast majority of displacement and migration in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region has been internal. However, cross-border movements have been reported in the wake of both slow and sudden-onset disasters in some of the South Asian countries. Participants recognized the importance of national and regional disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies, including through the SAARC Environment and Disaster Management Centre and the SAARC Agriculture Centre, as key elements for building capacities, enhancing regional collaboration and mitigating and reducing displacement risks. Participants also recognized the multiple opportunities to address displacement, migration and planned relocation with disaster risk reduction processes following the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: , and as part of the 2015 UNFCCC climate change negotiations and the post-2015 development agenda. They emphasized that States have the primary responsibility to develop climate resilience and prevent and reduce disaster risk, and that bilateral, regional and international cooperation can play an important role in providing sustainable support to compliment national action and in addressing transboundary risk, including internal and cross-border displacement. Participants also highlighted the common but differentiated responsibilities and the respective capabilities of States for responding to climate change and its adverse impacts, including the implications of climate change on human mobility and the importance of accessing mitigation and adaptation financing to address such challenges. Participants noted protection challenges facing displaced persons in disaster contexts, including lost housing and infrastructure, livelihoods, and the psychological impact of disasters thereof. They noted that disasters exacerbate preexisting vulnerabilities, particularly for women, children, older persons and disabled persons, and the potential risk of human trafficking and smuggling after disasters. Participants highlighted that States have the primary responsibility to provide protection and assistance to displaced persons in disaster contexts, noting that States in the region already respond to the needs of internally displaced persons and have made substantial progress in their capacity to do so in the past ten years. They also recognized the critical role that the international community, civil society, the private sector, and other actors have been playing in responding to the protection and assistance needs of displaced persons. Participants also identified national legal frameworks and policies, international human rights law, UN Conventions and Declarations as essential for protecting displaced persons rights. They also took note of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. However, participants highlighted the challenge of identifying such displaced persons, particularly in the context of climate change impacts, the lack of an international framework addressing cross-border disaster-related displacement, and the lack of or weakness of international institutional arrangements and mandates on the issue. Participants recognized that the availability of economically active population in South Asia has led to its emergence as an important source of international migrants to the Middle East, North America and Europe, and also within the regions. They noted that while many migrants move voluntarily to access education, employment opportunities, the negative impacts of natural hazards and environmental degradation on livelihoods, health and human life have also led South Asian people to migrate both within the region and beyond. Participants acknowledged that managed properly, migration can be a positive climate change adaptation measure that creates livelihood opportunities, supports economic development, supports disaster response through remittances, and thus reduces future displacement. However, participants expressed concern that the poorest and most vulnerable communities often lack adequate support to make migration a positive adaptation strategy. Participants recognized that natural hazards have led some governments in the region to relocate communities for reasons of safety or because land was lost or became uninhabitable. For instance in the Maldives in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami as well as the mountainous areas of Nepal and Afghanistan. Participants noted the challenges of identifying appropriate land, ensuring adequate livelihood opportunities and providing social and infrastructure support in relocation processes, emphasizing the importance of inclusive, voluntary and participatory 10 OUTCOME REPORT

11 approaches that consult and engage local communities in the planning and implementation process. Participants observed that knowledge, data and analysis on the nexus between climate change, disasters, and human mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region are growing but still insufficient to fully inform relevant policy making and governance at all levels. Participants acknowledged that prevention, preparedness, and responses to human mobility in the context of disasters and the adverse effects of climate change require action to be taken at community, sub-national, national, regional and international levels. Participants recommended linking the Nansen Initiative consultative process with the United Nations. They further identified five areas where inclusive and comprehensive action is needed: I. Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation 1 Build on the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction to integrate displacement, migration and planned relocation within national and regional disaster risk reduction plans and strategies. In particular, encourage the SAARC processes and regional centers to appropriately integrate all aspects of the Sendai Framework, including human mobility, into its programmes and activities. 2 Include displacement, migration as adaptation, and planned relocation within national, sub-regional, regional and global development plans/initiatives, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaption strategies to strengthen resilience. 3 Include disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies at all levels, particularly as they relate to displacement, migration as adaptation, and planned relocation, within national, sub-regional, regional and global development plans/initiatives to strengthen resilience. 4 Enhance understanding of the dynamics of vulnerability and consequent mobility of people within the DRR and climate change adaptation and mitigation plans, including disaster-related displacement and migration and related poverty. 5 Utilize participatory planning within DRR and climate change adaptation and mitigation processes to promote resilient communities. 6 Build capacities of relevant authorities and institutions at all levels, including through awareness raising and training, on the integration of human mobility in DRR, climate change adaptation, and development planning, emphasizing the importance of information, consultation, and participation of affected communities. 7 Consider the development of regional climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes, as appropriate, and building upon national and international programmes and initiatives, including by taking into account the need for integrated river basin management. 8 Establish, share and strengthen monitoring and early warning information regarding disasters, including through the use of mapping and geospatial technology, at national, sub-regional and regional levels. This would be important to continuously assess vulnerabilities of people and communities, and also their risk of displacement. 9 Increase per capita investment in DRR as compared to funding for disaster response, and facilitate access to climate change adaptation and mitigation and disaster risk reduction funding and technical assistance, in particular for Small Island Developing States and LDCs. II. Protection of Displaced Persons in Context of Disasters and the Adverse Effects of Climate Change 1 Recognize that disaster displaced persons, and in particular women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities, need protection and assistance during the emergency relief phase, as well as ongoing support during the recovery and reconstruction phase, such as through the provision of adequate infrastructure and social services. Ensure the smooth transition from the emergency to the rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction by enhancing cooperation between humanitarian and development actors. 2 Ensure that disaster displaced persons, or those at risk of displacement in disaster-prone areas, are provided with information about their rights and opportunities for genuine consultation and participation throughout all stages of disaster planning and response processes, particularly at the community level. 3 Develop national policies and standard operating procedures, adapted to the national context, that address the protection needs of internally displaced persons, and which provide simple, practical guidance regarding prevention, preparedness, evacuation, response, and finding durable solutions in a variety of disaster contexts. 4 Acknowledge that in situations of cross-border disaster-displacement, such people have specific protection needs and should, in a humanitarian spirit, receive admission, stay on temporary basis, social protection, and shelter, which are linked to finding durable solutions. Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean 11

12 5 Consider the development of bilateral and regional arrangements, as appropriate, within existing regional frameworks, on cross-border disaster-displacement, emphasizing the humanitarian nature of such arrangements, to agree upon practical mechanisms regarding the admission, stay, and durable solutions, particularly in the context of sudden-onset disasters. 6 Integrate disaster and climate-related human mobility into relevant global processes, i.e. the UNFCCC negotiations, the Post-2015 Development Agenda, and the World Humanitarian Summit process. 7 Recognize the importance of support by the United Nations and relevant international organizations, where appropriate, in terms of legal and policy development and the operational response to disaster displacement. 8 Strengthen the institutional and technical capacity, and provide adequate resources, to provide protection and assistance for disaster displaced persons at all levels. 9 Prepare for the specific human mobility scenarios facing Small Island Developing States and climate vulnerable countries in the context of disasters and climate change, including challenges related to legal status, identity and culture. III. Migration as Adaptation 1 Recognize that internal and cross-border migration may be a way for people affected by disasters and the adverse effects of climate change to avoid or adjust to deteriorating environmental conditions that could otherwise result in a humanitarian crisis and displacement in the future. 2 Facilitate migration of disaster and climate change affected people by engaging directly with local populations and vulnerable, affected communities to support safe and orderly migration that benefits all, in particular by providing pre- and post-departure training and support. 3 Develop policies at all levels on migration as a form of adaptation to climate change and disasters, recognizing that the poorest and most vulnerable may need additional assistance to make migration a positive adaptation strategy. 4 Consider the development arrangements at various levels, as appropriate, on migration as a potential adaptation measure, emphasizing the humanitarian nature of such arrangements, which include practical mechanisms regarding travel, admission and stay. 5 Recognize the multi-faceted links between migration and development, and support migrants and their families through financial literacy and related measures, skills development, and other measures to increase their resilience and reduce disaster risks. 6 Collaborate and cooperate among Member States on safe, orderly and responsible management of labour migration from South Asia, as agreed in the Declaration of the 18th SAARC Summit. 7 Encourage the ratification of relevant international instruments or conventions to protect migrants such as the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. IV. Planned Relocation 1 Consider timely planned relocation as a measure of last resort where other disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation measures are insufficient to protect people from natural hazards, and encourage the development of national and local relocation policies and mechanisms. 2 Ensure that planned relocation processes include engagement and awareness raising with affected communities regarding planning and implementation, taking into account cultural ties and attachment to land. 3 Ensure that such process include adequate provision of livelihood opportunities, housing, secure land tenure, basic and social services, and infrastructure, and are sensitive to local contexts. V. Data Collection and Scientific Knowledge 1 Enhance data collection on disaster-related human mobility, and expand upon current research and knowledge to improve understanding on the relationship between climate change, disasters, and human mobility, including respective displacement risks, to inform relevant policies. 2 Create and build upon existing regional and international information sharing mechanisms on disaster risk and weather forecasting among States to support early warning mechanisms at all levels. 3 Encourage exchange of information, dialogue and learning on relevant new scientific techniques and innovations, particularly related to agriculture, livelihoods, health and education. 4 Provide relevant authorities at all levels with enhanced information and understanding of mechanisms and related access to international financial institutions supporting disaster risk reduction, disaster response and humanitarian assistance, and climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. 12 OUTCOME REPORT

13 1.3 CLOSING SESSION Following the reading of the Summary of Conclusions, Mr. Md. Shahidul Haque, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, commended his colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the local administration for initiating and organizing a field trip to Dacope. Acknowledging their commitment to the cause, Haque expressed his appreciation to the Ambassadors of Switzerland and the Philippines who have actively participated at the Consultation from start to finish. He thanked the distinguished senior officials from the Disaster Management and Environment Departments, Prof. Ainun Nishat who brought his extensive experience and knowledge about Bangladesh to enrich the discussion and IOM Bangladesh for successfully organizing the logistics the Consultation. With a special mention of its Envoy s genuine motivation to share his knowledge and expertise, Foreign Secretary Haque thanked the Nansen Initiative for bringing the debate on human mobility to the region. He asked for the participants to reflect on their experience and observation from the Dacope visit to assure that the Protection Agenda would address the most vulnerable population, many of whom are trapped by poverty and facing extreme challenges from the impacts of climate change. In conclusion, Foreign Secretary Haque called for further collaboration in working toward giving people the right to live, securing their livelihoods and reducing inequalities by addressing these issues in the Post-2015 development discourse at various levels. Representing the Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative, the Honorable Ambassador Christian Fotsch of Switzerland emphasized the harsh reality of climate change and the urgency to work on the issue in South Asia as one of the most affected regions in the world. While Ambassador Fotsch believed that countries represented at the Regional Consultation are well acquainted with the need for adapting to climate change, he pointed out the knowledge gap on the relationship between disasters, climate change, and displacement both internally and across borders. He further emphasized on the need to learn more about how migration and relocation could be used as adaptation strategies. Ambassador Fotsch highlighted that the conclusion of the fifth and last Regional Consultation in Khulna also marked the beginning of a comprehensive consultative processes on the draft Protection Agenda, which would be presented to the international community and peer states for review and feedback. He announced that the Swiss Government is pleased to host the high-level Nansen Initiative Global Consultation on 12 and 13 October 2015 in Geneva, to which ministerial or the highest political representatives will be invited. Ending his remarks, Ambassador Fotsch thanked the Government of Bangladesh, IOM and all the participants who provided valuable contributions to the Regional Consultation. Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean 13

14 The Envoy of the Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative, Prof. Walter Kaelin emphasized the need to acknowledge the common but differentiated responsibilities in addressing climate change. Echoing Foreign Secretary Haque s statement, the Envoy highlighted that it is a priority to support States as they address the needs of affected population as they relate to displacement, migration and planned relocation in the context of disasters and the adverse effects of climate change. The Envoy commended the participants to the Regional Consultation for engaging in an honest and open dialogue that drew upon the wealth of experiences shared by the governments and civil society organizations present. Looking to the future, he said that the results of the Nansen Initiative should eventually be brought back into the United Nations system. The Envoy acknowledged and thanked Foreign Secretary Haque for his support since the inception of the Initiative. He also thanked the Foreign Secretary s team, IOM Bangladesh, all participants to the Regional Consultation and the Consultation s facilitator, Ms. Kelly Flynn. Last but not least, the Envoy expressed his appreciation for the Dacope visit, which shed light on the hardships already faced by communities associated with the impacts of climate change and disasters. To conclude the Regional Consultation, the Chief Guest, Mr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Principal Secretary to the Hon. Prime Minister of Bangladesh, reflected upon the complexity of the climate debate at the national and subnational levels in Bangladesh. Drawing on the discussions during the Consultation, he highlighted vulnerabilities that potentially trigger people to move, and emphasized the need to address subsequent problems through human rights and displacement architecture. After the visit to Dacope, Azad expressed his hoped that participants would have a better awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by communities in relation to rising sea level, saline intrusion and rising temperatures. Secretary Azad urged participants to propose solutions for people who are moving based on an improved knowledge of climate change and disaster risk. After being hit many times by major cyclones, he explained that the Government of Bangladesh had learned from past lessons and enhanced its response accordingly, as seen in the aftermath of Cyclones Aila and Sidr. However, despite its efforts to build resilience, Secretary Azad stated that Bangladesh still needs to work with other countries to share experiences and approaches that are well suited for the region. He closed by urging participants to carry the issue of displacement in the context of disasters and climate change from Khulna to Geneva. 14 OUTCOME REPORT

15 2. THE TECHNICAL WORKSHOP 2.1 INAUGURAL PLENARY Government of Bangladesh Mr. Md. Shahidul Haque Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bangladesh Secretary Haque called the participants attention to the extremely dynamic challenges in South Asia, a region that is one of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Reflecting on his country s complex riverine system, growing urban population and level of development, Haque emphasized the pressure of increasing human mobility and growing humanitarian needs in Bangladesh. He added that five million people are expected to be displaced every year due to flood and cyclone in the country. Quoting figures announced in international conferences, Secretary Haque stated that a global sea level rise of one meter could further displace million people. He urged participants to no longer debate about whether climate change is making an impact, but rather to focus on how to deal with such impacts. While affirming that people have acquired some level of resilience and ability to adapt, Haque argued that their needs must be better understood within the interlinkages of human mobility and climate change. In order to address the gap, Haque urged governments to collaborate with local and international civil society organizations to assure that the needs of affected populations are met Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative Mr. Johan Meyer Refugee Policy Director, Department for UN, Peace and Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Norway On behalf of the Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative, the governments of Switzerland and Norway, Meyer expressed his gratitude for receiving the representatives and experts from States and civil society organizations from South Asia and the Indian Ocean. He highlighted that from , an estimated 46 million people were displaced in South Asia due to sudden-onset disasters, with Bangladesh particularly prone to extreme weather events that are likely to be exacerbated by climate change in the future. While recognizing that the needs of persons displaced within their countries following a disaster are covered by the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, Meyer highlighted that the rights of those fleeing abroad are more ambiguous under international law since such displaced persons do not necessarily fit into the legal definition of a refugee. To address this gap, he explained that the Nansen Initiative held Regional Consultations and Civil Society Meetings to gather information about specific regional situations, lessons learned, and best practices on cross-border displacement in the context of disasters and climate change. Meyer stated that the recommendations from the Civil Society Meeting in Kathmandu and the Regional Consultation in South Asia will be compiled together the results from Pacific, Central America, the Horn of Africa and Southeast Asia to form the Protection Agenda, which will be presented at the Nansen Initiative Global Consultation in October 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. He thanked the Government of Bangladesh and IOM for partnering to host and organize this important South Asian Regional Consultation. Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean 15

16 2.1.3 Envoy of the Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative Prof. Walter Kaelin Envoy of the Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative The Envoy presented the origins and purpose of the Nansen Initiative, citing examples of cross-border disaster-displacement, such as the drought in the Horn of Africa and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, when States generously admitted disaster displaced persons, but on an ad hoc basis. He also highlighted the specific displacement challenges in low-lying island states, such as in the Pacific region, where the effects of rising sea levels, storm surges, and other natural hazards are forcing some atoll States to consider the consequences of where their people could turn when the last village is no longer habitable. The Envoy reported that displacement in sudden-onset disaster contexts is already significant, with 22 million people displaced in 2013 alone and an overall average of 25 million people newly displaced each year- more than the number of refugees or internally displaced persons fleeing armed conflict. According to the IPCC 5 th Assessment Report, he elaborated that climate change is expected to increase the displacement of people (high agreement, medium evidence). In South Asia, the Envoy explained that both sudden-onset and slow-onset events are likely to occur as a consequence of climate change. With regards to drought and degrading coastal lines, he highlighted the obvious challenge for governments to find areas to relocate their people. In general, he stated that although most displacement is internal, a smaller, unknown number of people also move across borders. The Envoy provided an overview of the main legal and operational gaps with regards to cross-border disaster-displacement, such as a lack of legal standards or criteria regarding admission, status during stay and finding durable solutions, as well as clear institutional accountability. Furthermore, he summarized the five key gap areas as: knowledge, legal, conceptual, institutional and financial gaps. While recognizing that some regions, like Africa, are further ahead in establishing regional IDP frameworks, the Envoy pointed out that not all countries have national frameworks for IDPs. In regards to institutional gaps, the Envoy explained that IOM and UNHCR are actively engaged in the sector, however neither have a well-defined mandate to respond. The Envoy concluded that the lessons learnt to date through the Nansen Initiative include the following: 1) displacement in disaster contexts is multi-causal; 2) regional organizations have a strong role to play given the predominantly regional dynamics of displacement; 3) human mobility considerations need to be integrated within disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and development plans and strategies; 4) a comprehensive approach through a toolbox of multiple policy options is needed to adequately address the challenges of cross-border disaster-displacement and includes measures such as preventing displacement when possible through resilience building measures in disaster prone communities, facilitating migration and planned relocation as adaption measures to prevent displacement, and when necessary, providing temporary protection measures for displaced persons linked to durable solutions; and 5) institutional arrangements have to be set up facilitate dialogue and linkages in regards to future action. The Envoy explained that the Protection Agenda will be shared once has incorporated the findings of the South Asian Regional Consultation, and will include: i) a set of common understandings; ii) a set of effective practices identified through the consultative process; and iii) an action plan for domestic, regional and global levels. He added that the Nansen Initiative will also frame key messages and feed them into relevant global processes. Finally, the Envoy highlighted that the Initiative will seek an institutional arrangement for the issue at the global level within the international community, the United Nations, and IOM Government of the Philippines H.E. Vicente Vivencio T. Bandillo Philippines Ambassador to Bangladesh Ambassador Bandillo stated that the Philippines primarily joined as a Member of the Nansen Initiative Steering Group to work on assuring the safe passage for migrant workers and displaced persons as part of larger efforts to reduce disaster risk and mitigate effects of climate change. Summarizing the outcomes of the Southeast Asia Regional Consultation hosted by the Government of the Philippines in Manila, Bandillo identified the following six areas for action: 1) disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, 2) planned relocation, 3) internal displacement, 4) cross-border displacement, 5) protection of migrants abroad in times of disasters, and 6) data collection and scientific knowledge on human mobility in the context of disasters. In addition to the Nansen Initiative, Bandillo explained that the Philippines is also involved in two other stateled initiatives linked to the goals of the Nansen Initiative, namely the Migrant in Countries in Crisis Initiative (MICIC) and the Climate Vulnerable Forum. 16 OUTCOME REPORT

17 2.1.5 Government of Nepal Hon. Bharatendu Mishra Member of National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal In response to the challenges brought about by climate change, Mishra explained that the Government of Nepal has been strengthening its inter-ministerial coordination and engaging with the private sector, development actors and civil society organizations. He highlighted the lead role of ICIMOD in supporting capacity development, IOM in managing migration, and the Nansen Initiative in building partnerships at the global level on the issues of disasters and displacement. Through participating in the South Asian Regional Consultation, Mishra hoped to share experiences from various disasters in Nepal, most particularly in regards to his government s efforts to relocate victims displaced by disasters, address gender equality in disaster risk reduction, and build the overall resilience of communities. He emphasized the need for greater collaboration between regional and international actors to support adaptation and development through research and capacity building. Wishing the participants success, Mishra expressed his hope that the Consultation will produce concrete recommendations for future action. 2.2 INAUGURATION BY CHIEF GUEST Mr. Muhammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan Cabinet Secretary, Government of Bangladesh Cabinet Secretary Bhuiyan emphasized the timeliness and importance of the South Asian Regional Consultation to address the underlying challenges of human mobility in the context of climate change and disasters. Referring to the planned visit to Dacope, Bhuiyan called upon the participants to witness the challenges and gravity of climate change impacts. Based on an IPCC report, he stated that a one meter rise in sea level is projected to inundate 17.5 per cent of total landmass, and could displace around 31.5 million people in Bangladesh. Bhuiyan explained that the Government has made efforts to respond to the challenges by mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in its national development policies, a move that has led to a significant reduction in the number of lives lost in recent cyclones. He affirmed that there is still a need to protect the rights of displaced people to survive and provide sufficient capacity for them to move when necessary. To prevent the loss of lives and sustain livelihoods, Bhuiyan highlighted the importance of international cooperation and support for affected communities from various sectors. Bhuiyan concluded his remarks by expressing his hope that the Regional Consultation would prove to be an ownership-building exercise with concrete outcomes. 2.3 PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS Introduction and Structure of the Workshop South Asian 5 geography is diverse, ranging from the world s highest elevations in the Hindu-Kush Himalayas to the low-lying coastal plains and islands of the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. 6 Due to these unique geo-climatic conditions, South Asia is exposed to a wide array of natural hazards with the potential or likelihood to trigger human mobility (i.e. displacement, migration, and planned relocation), including sudden-onset hazards (e.g. tropical cyclones, flash floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, avalanches and glacial lake outburst floods), as well as slow-onset hazards (e.g. desertification, droughts, riverbank erosion). 7 Over the years, these natural hazards have resulted in significant displacement in South Asia. Between 2008 and 2013, the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) estimated that more than 46 million people were displaced by sudden-onset disasters in South Asia. 8 While the vast majority of displacement has been internal, a few instances of cross-border displacement have been reported in wake of sudden-onset disasters, such as between India and Bangladesh when Cyclone Aila struck the countries in Slow-onset disasters, for example desertification in remote Nepalese villages in the Himalayas 10 and drought in Kuchi nomadic com- 5 The South Asia Region consists of the Member States to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC): Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. 6 Notably, many natural features such as river basins, fault zones, or mountain ranges are shared by several countries; therefore, impacts of climate change and natural hazards in this region often transcend national boundaries and require inter-governmental cooperation. See The World Bank, GFDRR, Disaster Risk Management in South Asia A Regional Overview (Washington DC: 2012) See Asian Development Bank, 'Addressing climate change and migration in Asia and the Pacific' (Asian Development Bank, Manila, Philippines 2012). 8 IDMC, Global Estimates 2014: People displaced by disasters, (September 2014) Jane McAdam & Ben Saul, Displacement with Dignity: International Law and Policy Responses to Climate Change Migration and Security in Bangladesh (2010) 53 German Yearbook of International Law Nam Raj Khatri, Climate-change refugees in Nepal: The need for climate-smart capacity building, in Walter Leal Filho (ed.), Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (Climate change management, Springer, Heidelberg, New York 2013). Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean 17

18 munities in Afghanistan, 11 have also prompted people to move internally and abroad in search of alternative livelihood activities or humanitarian assistance. In coastal areas, rising sea levels coupled with saline intrusion and erosion pose unique challenges that also compel people to move, domestically and internationally. 12 The overall number of people displaced across international borders in South Asia is not known. However, in light of projected population growth, continued environmental degradation and the predicted increase in the frequency and intensity of disasters linked to climate change, it is anticipated that population movements in the context of disasters and climate change in South Asia and the Indian Ocean Rim are likely to increase over the next decades. To date, South Asia does not have a regional or sub-regional temporary protection mechanism that allows people displaced in disaster contexts to enter another country. However, given the multi-causal nature of human mobility in the context of disasters and climate change in South Asia, a number of existing national and regional laws and policies can play a role in: i) preventing displacement when possible, such as by building resilience to future natural hazards through development and disaster risk reduction activities; and ii) preparing for and providing protection and assistance to displaced persons in disaster contexts when it cannot be avoided. To discuss these and other issues, the technical workshop was organized in five parts. The first part provided an overview of disasters and human mobility in the region, including reflections on the underlying causes and characteristics of such movements in South Asia. The second part included panel presentations and discussion on three thematic issues: 1) Protection, Assistance and Durable Solutions for Displaced Persons in the Context of Disasters; 2) Migration as Adaptation to Natural Hazards, Disasters and Climate Change; 3) Managing Disaster and Displacement Risks: Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Building. The third part was a field trip to visit Dacope Sutarkhali Union. The fourth part took the form of working groups organized according to the thematic issues, and were tasked with identifying needs and challenges, highlighting existing good practices, and formulating new policy recommendations to respond to the identified gaps. The outcome of each group s deliberation was shared for plenary discussion. Finally, the technical workshop concluded with a discussion about how to incorporate the conclusions from the Regional Consultation within ongoing regional and global processes, and how the conclusions would contribute to the Nansen Initiative Global Consultation. Country-specific case studies as well as thematic presentations had been prepared by governments, experts and representatives from national, international and civil society organizations. All presentations can be found at: Overview of Human Mobility in the Context of Disasters and Climate Change across the Regions This session presented the concepts of human mobility (displacement, migration and planned relocation) within the context of disasters and climate change in South Asia. It identified historic and future trends for displacement and migration, provided an overview of existing legal frameworks for addressing potential cross-border displacement in disaster contexts, and reflected on how to actively provide input to relevant policies to address human mobility in the context of disasters and climate change. The session was moderated by Mr. Md. Shahidul Haque, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, Government of Bangladesh. Key messages from the presentations and discussion: Climate and disaster-induced displacement and human mobility must be discussed and included in global processes and negotiations, especially in the Paris 2015 climate change agreement. There is an opportunity to build on the momentum raised by the Sendai Framework s Priorities for Action in regards to the future integration of human mobility within disaster risk reduction policies, plans, and activities. Increased investment in disaster risk reduction is essential for preventing displacement. International law does not adequately address the protection and assistance needs of people displaced across international borders in disaster contexts. South Asian States should examine further the current state of migration in the region, and promote it as a potential adaptation strategy. Evidence-based studies and practical guidance are still needed to advocate and engage in more solid discussions on disaster displacement. 11 Samuel Hall Consulting, Displacement Dynamics: IDP Movement Tracking, Needs and Vulnerability Analysis: Herat and Helmand Afghanistan (Kabul 2014) Uma Kothari, Political discourses of climate change and migration: Resettlement policies in the Maldives (2014) 180 The Geographical Journal OUTCOME REPORT

19 PRESENTATIONS Case Study of Displacement and Human Mobility in Bangladesh after Cyclone Aila Prof. Ainun Nishat Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research, C3ER, BRAC University, Bangladesh Nishat presented the findings from his study on displacement and migration in Satkhira, one of the areas in Southern Bangladesh that was worse hit by Cyclone Aila in Nishat explained that one out of ten people in the affected area had already moved away, noting that most of those who moved were landless day laborers seeking opportunities in neighboring unions or to another country when they lost their livelihoods. While effective in providing immediate assistance to affected communities, Nishat explained that the Government s longer-term support for re-establishing livelihood was insufficient. Recalling paragraph 14(f) of the 2010 UNFCCC Cancun Adaptation Framework that acknowledges the need to address issues related to displacement, migration, and planned relocation in the context of climate change, Nishat concluded his presentation by urging negotiators in Paris to work out a well-defined mechanism to address the emerging issues discussed at this Regional Consultation. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: Opportunities for Addressing Disaster Related Human Mobility Dr. Mihir Bhatt Director, All India Disaster Mitigation Institute, India Bhatt reported that for the first time human mobility-related terms such as disaster induced displacement and trans-boundary movement were included in an international framework on disaster risk reduction (Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction ). In addition to calling for strengthened regional and trans-boundary cooperation, Bhatt emphasized that the Sendai Framework also reiterated that States have the primary responsibility for disaster risk reduction. Bhat explained that according to the Four Priorities for Action, future work on human mobility must respectively: 1) fill knowledge gaps on how human mobility relates to disaster risk; 2) strengthen governance structures to be more sensitive to disaster-related mobility situations; 3) invest in resilience building efforts to address human mobility more generally, and improve disaster response by planning for potential displacement; 4) integrate potential relocation and migration within reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. Bhatt urged participants to collaborate to ensure that disaster displacement, relocation and migration are discussed and well-negotiated in other global processes, especially the Paris 2015 climate change agreement. Finally, he recommended that participants advocate for UNISDR to prepare periodic reviews on measuring and reporting on human mobility, support global and regional follow up, and generate evidence-based and practical guidance for implementation such as the toolkit mentioned by Prof. Kaelin at the national and international level. Cross-Border Human Mobility in Context of Disasters and Climate Change: Legal Frameworks and Clarifications of Concepts Prof. Walter Kaelin Envoy of the Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative Providing some historical background to the Nansen Initiative, the Envoy explained that although the Initiative initially focused solely on cross-border disaster-displacement, it became immediately evident that such focus would be too narrow and that a comprehensive approach was required. In the absence of universally agreed terminology to distinguish migration from displacement, Kaelin explained that the Nansen Initiative used the term human mobility to refer to displacement, migration and planned relocation, as set out in the 2010 Cancun Adaptation Framework. Regarding applicable legal frameworks in addressing each form of movement, Kaelin explained that while national, bilateral and international legal frameworks address migration and internal displacement, there is a gap international law to protect people displaced across international borders in disaster contexts, although some States in other parts of the world apply domestic provisions to admit or stay deportations. For example the identified African Union Refugee Convention that has been broadly applied in Horn of Africa drought crisis to provide protection and assistance to cross-border disaster-displaced persons. He further highlighted the key challenge to be in assuring the rights for admission, especially for people who are there irregularly. The Envoy explained that while Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement have been unanimously recognized important international framework for protecting IDPs in both conflict and disaster contexts, and that countries such as Afghanistan and Nepal have adopted national policies on internal displacement, most countries still do not have comprehensive policies. He highlighted the importance of the SAARC Convention on Trafficking and the Convention on Migrant Rights to provide protection for migrants as well as disaster displaced persons, who might be susceptible to trafficking. Finally, the Envoy explained that protection for people in planned relocation processes is provided under domestic law and human rights law, noting that UNHCR is currently developing guidelines on internal planned relocation in the context of disasters and climate change, and that cross-border relocation processes would require the creation of rights-based bilateral agreements. Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean 19

20 Current and Anticipated Displacement in the Context of Disasters in South Asia Mr. Justin Ginnetti Senior Advisor, Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) Ginnetti stated that an estimated 46 million people have been displaced by sudden-onset disasters in South Asia between , accounting for more than one third of all global disaster displacement. Over the next ten years, Ginnetti shared projections that India could have as many as five million displaced persons per year, followed by Pakistan at two million and Bangladesh at one million. He explained, however, that in terms of per capita displacement, Sri Lanka, followed by the Maldives, faces the highest risk of disaster displacement in the region. Ginnetti identified rapid population growth, unequal distribution of wealth and spending on disaster risk reduction as the key drivers of displacement risk in South Asia, adding that conflict further erodes underlying vulnerability. Ginnetti concluded by stating that investment in community resilience can substantially reduce the severity or duration of disaster displacement. Climate Change, Environmental Factors and Migration Dynamics in South Asia: The Nexus Ms. Sabira Coelho International Organization for Migration Coelho explained that while gathering figures for people displaced by sudden-onset disasters is relatively easy, it is more difficult to document how people move in the context of slow-onset natural hazards and environmental degradation. She reported that of the 2.5 million migrant workers in the region, the number of people moving due to environmental degradation remains unknown, particularly given the region s mixed migration flows that include economic migrants, trafficked persons and refugees. Coelho observed that while some national climate change policies in South Asia acknowledged the potentially negative impacts associated with migration, few acknowledged migration as a potentially positive adaptation measure to climate change. She attributed this to insufficient evidence-based research, a lack of consensus on terminology on human mobility, political sensitivity, and weak institutional leadership. Coelho identified the need in South Asia for enhanced research for national policy development, strengthened exchanges and dialogue, the promotion of migration as an adaptation strategy such as through the development of guidelines, and enhanced regional collaboration and capacity building for authorities Protection, Assistance and Durable Solutions for Displaced Persons in the Context of Disasters: Country Experiences The panel highlighted the experiences of the Afghanistan, Maldives and Sri Lanka in addressing the impact of typhoons and seasonal floods on human mobility. Challenges and opportunities related to migration and displacement were also presented by IOM and UNHCR representatives. The panel was moderated by H.E. Mr. Najeeb Ali Ahmed Al Rawas, Undersecretary, Ministry of Environment & Climate Affairs, Government of the Sultanate of Oman. Key messages from the presentations and discussion: A lack of preparedness and awareness about natural hazards and local geography contributes to challenges in providing assistance to disaster displaced persons and finding durable solutions. Applying lessons learned from the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the Maldives built greater resilience through strengthened environmental protection, mitigation measures such as zoning regulations, and mapping of evacuation zones. Protection frameworks for people displaced across international borders in disaster contexts need to be identified and clarified. South Asian States, and the international community as a whole, should seize opportunities to strengthen and build upon existing national and regional frameworks and processes by managing human mobility applying a rights-based approach. Coherent policies must be developed at all levels to facilitate safe and orderly migration, especially in ways that protect the poorest who are more likely to become victims of trafficking or trans-border crime syndicates. Additional conclusions from the working group: States should assess the possibility of encouraging circular migration in climate change adaptation and other relevant policies. Planned relocation should be encouraged as a mitigation measure, building upon careful studies and applying a rights-based approach that ensures community consultation. 20 OUTCOME REPORT

21 PRESENTATIONS Country Experience: Addressing Disaster Displacement through IDP Policies Mr. Mohammed Saed Qazi Director, Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority, Government of Afghanistan Qazi explained that floods, drought and earthquakes are the most common hazards in Afghanistan, affecting 500,000 people annually on average, adding that the impacts of climate change such as drought, glacial melting, reduced water table and loss of agricultural land, have also forced people to move. For example, he highlighted that in 2013 some 8,000 people were displaced by disaster, while in 2014 floods and avalanches displaced 22,443, and most recently in 2015, some 300 people lost their lives in a landslide in Badakhstan. Qazi stated that the Government of Afghanistan has emergency funds and accepts international financial assistance in disaster situations, and has also developed plans in response to climate change, noting his government s 2012 submission of a National Communication to the UNFCCC and its continued development of a National Adaptation Plan. Country Experience: Planned Relocation under the Population Consolidation Policy of the Maldives Mr. Mareer Mohamed Husny Assistant Director, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Government of the Maldives Husny stated that following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, 82 people lost their lives in the Maldives, with over 4,000 buildings damaged, and almost all the harbors and coastal structures connecting smaller islands to the mainland destroyed. He highlighted that the inability immediately respond with adequate support resulted in further economic losses from interrupted food production and the impact on tourism. Husny presented the government s Safer Islands policy aimed at improving community safety through strengthened environmental protection, applying regulations for housing construction, and mapping evacuation zones. Country Experience: Lessons from the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami Ms. Wasantha Samaraweera Additional Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management, Government of Sri Lanka Samaraweera reported that 34,000 people lost their lives in Sri Lanka following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, which subsequently prompted the Government of Sri Lanka to address its lack of preparedness and awareness by improving its policies and agencies coordination, not only for tsunamis but also seasonal flooding, which also results in displacement. She explained that improvements included constructing resilient houses, establishing a disaster management council and developing a disaster management center, noting that the Government has also developed a contingency plan based on climate change projections supported by a climate change secretariat. Opportunities and Challenges for Protection in the Context of Migration and Displacement Ms. Stina Ljungdell Country Representative, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees Bangladesh Ljungdell reflected on the relationship between disasters, climate change and human mobility, noting its complex, multi-layered dynamics that could potentially multiply the impacts of conflict and further contribute to refugee flows. She identified the need to better identify a protection framework in disaster contexts would be relevant, presenting possible scenarios: refugees may become displaced by sudden-onset disasters; or disasters could lead to a refugee situation in the event that a breakdown in public order forces a persecuted minority to flee. Ljungdell emphasized that in such situations, the highest standard of protection shall prevail, and refugees shall not lose their refugee status. In conclusion, she urged the international community to share responsibility for such situations based on agreed criteria, and urged participants to seize the opportunity to strengthen national and regional processes to build a rights-based approach to manage human mobility in the context of disasters and the effects of climate change, as well as to build upon existing frameworks and global processes. Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean 21

22 Safe, Human and Orderly Migration: Challenges and Opportunities Mr. Sarat Dash Chief of Mission, International Organization for Migration Bangladesh Dash emphasized that resource-poor people are the most affected by the negative impacts of climate change, including in regards to their ability to move, noting for example that migrants may face an increased danger of trafficking or trans-border crime syndicates. He stressed that countries of destination should be prepared to receive migrants such as through the development of local and national level policies that seek to gain the most benefits from migration while also assuring respect for migrants rights. Dash also noted the potential for States to request the support of IOM through the Migration Crisis Operational Framework (MCOF), which helps countries prepare plans before a crisis occurs, and the important role of regional cooperation through the Colombo Process, the Bali Process, other climate-related processes, and bilateral agreements. Dash ended his presentation with recommendations for facilitating safe and orderly migration, which included: encouraging proactive action from relevant actors; bolstering humanitarian responses to climate change; developing coherent policies at all levels; strengthening other relevant policy domains; recognizing migration as a potential adaptation strategy; planning for orderly relocation with sensitivity to local contexts and direct engagement with local populations Migration as Adaptation to Natural Hazards, Disasters and Climate Change: Opportunities and Challenges The panel discussions on migration as adaptation addressed issues such as the inclusion of cross-border displacement in global discourse, migration as a form of adaptation to climate change, and supporting adaptive capacity for resource poor populations to migrate. The panel was moderated by Hon. Bharatendu Mishra, Member of National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal. Key messages from the presentations and discussion: While economic migration has garnered higher attention at the global level, continuous efforts are needed to ensure the issue of migration and displacement are included within relevant global processes. Continued dialogue on the role of remittances in supporting climate change adaptation measures should be strengthened to better understand its potential. Although migration has the potential to build resilience, such results are not automatic, particularly for the poorest who may need additional assistance to make migration a positive adaptation strategy. 22 OUTCOME REPORT

23 Additional conclusions from the working group: While important to engage in global processes, because most cross-border disaster-displacement when it happens will occur within the region, a regional discussion on the issue is essential. Displacement in Bangladesh: The Nexus between Disasters, Climate Change and Mobility in Global Discourse Ms. Nahida Sobhan Minister, Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in Geneva Sobhan explained that because a wide variety of national, social and cultural factors influence the occurrence of displacement in Bangladesh, there are a number relevant global platforms. In particular she highlighted: the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the United Nations General Assembly resolution 69/15 that recognizes sea level rise and the impacts of climate change as posing a risk to Small Island Developing States, the Report of the UN Secretary General on the High Level on Migration and Development that identifies migration as an adaptation strategy, the 2010 UNFCCC Cancun Adaptation Framework, and reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Sobhan noted that discussions on the post-2015 development agenda have not yet addressed displacement. At the national level, Sobhan underlined the importance of acknowledging various approaches to responding to internal displacement, for example by comparing the experiences of federal states like India and Indonesia with the response of unitary states, such as Bangladesh and Egypt. Presentation of Experience from Migration Projects in the Region Mr. Shabarinath Nair in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Sharing the Swiss Government s involvement in various global processes such as the UN High Level Dialogue, the Global Commission on International Migration and the Global Forum on Migration and Development, Nair pointed out that efforts to prominently include displacement in all relevant fora are ongoing. Nair concluded by calling upon participants to 1) consider the climate change dimension in future discussions on migration and development, 2) bring in a stronger development perspective to the humanitarian and human rights discussions, and 3) review appropriate institutional arrangements to work on the issue. Migration as Adaptation in Situations of Environmental Stress: Concepts and Practice Mr. Soumyadeep Banerjee Migration and Population Specialist, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) Banerjee shared the findings of ICIMOD s joint research on labor migration from areas experiencing environmental stress, reporting that in some cases migration may result in decreased vulnerability, reduced population pressure, uninterrupted income sources following disaster, increased capacity to withstand environmental stress, and better access to information and social support networks. He explained that in Assam, India an area in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region that experiences annual floods that destroy lands, crops and infrastructure- there is outmigration of male migrants to India. Due to limited understanding about environmental impacts, lack of financial planning and inadequate access to technical inputs, Banerjee said the study found that migrants use relatively little of their savings for disaster preparedness, and consequently the study s findings emphasized on the need to not only address such gaps at the community level, but to also build discourse on the role of migration and remittances in supporting adaptive capacity in the region, and mainstream it in adaptation practices. Regional Advisor for Migration and Development, Government of Switzerland Nair stated that there are five priorities within the Swiss foreign policy relevant to its support for migration and development in the South Asia region: 1) shaping the migration debate; 2) supporting labor migration with decent work; 3) enhancing migrants contribution to development; 4) integrating migration in development planning, and 5) integrating internal migration within development planning. With 35 million migrants originating from South Asian countries, representing close to a quarter of the global migrant population, Nair emphasized the importance of the Swiss Government s support for the implementation of migration policies Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean 23

24 Migration and Environmentally Related Hazards and Disasters: From Crisis to Adaptation Prof. Dominic Kniveton and PhD Candidate Mr. Maxmillan Martin Professor and Associate Tutor, respectively, Department of Geography, University of Sussex Martin presented the current findings from ongoing research on the dual nature of migration which may lead to increased protection concerns or potential benefits, depending on the interaction between vulnerability, resilience and adaptation. He presented two examples from Bangladesh and India where people are moving away from undeveloped coastal areas, with decisions likely influenced by cyclones Sidr and Aila as well the impacts of climate change. Nevertheless, Martin explained that those moving from disaster prone areas are not necessarily the most vulnerable, who may lack sufficient resources to move. Martin concluded that while migration can build adaptive capacity, the poorest may need additional assistance, and consequently encouraged participants to channel efforts toward reducing displacement risk while increasing capacity for voluntary migration Managing Disaster and Displacement Risks: Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Building This session provided an opportunity to explore the region s experiences in disaster risk reduction, climate change adaption and resilience building. The session was moderated by Dr. Mihir Bhatt, Director, All India Disaster Mitigation Institute, India. Key messages from the presentations and discussion: Government officials should engage with civil society organizations to ensure measures to integrate human mobility within disaster risk reduction plans are relevant for affected populations. Urban to rural migration and the related decision making processes of migrants should be better researched to appropriately address migrants needs. To adequately plan for human mobility in the context of disasters and the impacts of climate change, States must have access to accurate data and climate change projections so they can design relevant plans accordingly. Better access to financial resources is needed to meaningfully address human mobility in the context of disasters and climate change within DRR, climate change adaptation, and development planning. Additional conclusions from the working group: Emerging vulnerabilities and the linkage between disasters and conflict should be more carefully examined. SAARC should be encouraged to facilitate dialogue on integrating human mobility in the context of disasters and the impacts of climate change within relevant plans, policies and processes in the region. Disaster Induced Migration Mr. Raju Baru Pudasaini Undersecretary, Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment, Government of Nepal Pudasaini stated that migration linked to natural hazards had been observed in the Terai Region, an area bordering Nepal and India prone to flood, landslides, droughts, storms and cold waves, where an increasing dependency on remittances had been documented. Pusdaini explained that the Nepali government s has developed key initiatives to improve use of remittance through strengthened institutional arrangements, programmatic interventions and migration management, and had identified areas for further improvement in the areas of education and training, community empowerment, information management, research and innovation, and cooperation between origin and destination countries to improve human rights protection. Pusdaini identified the main policy challenge in Nepal as the need to improve the synergy between development, disaster management and climate change policies as they relate to human mobility considerations. Climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and development policies and plans should have coherent linkages when addressing human mobility considerations. States and civil society organizations from South Asia should contribute to global and regional processes regarding the integration of human mobility within DRR, climate change adaptation and development planning. 24 OUTCOME REPORT

25 Climate Change Adaptation in the Maldives Mr. Hamdhoon Mohamed Assistant Director, Ministry of Environment and Energy, Government of the Maldives Mohamed explained that 80 per cent of the Maldives land area is one meter below sea level, making it extremely vulnerable to land loss and beach erosion, infrastructure damage, decreased food security, damage to coral reefs, degradation of water resources, and health issues. He presented the Government of the Maldives various climate change related plans, including a National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA), the Resilient Island Concept, integrated water resource management projects, coastal protection measures, and awareness raising efforts. Mohammed emphasized that the Government of Maldives needs to continue such efforts given its geography, while at the same time highlighting the need to secure financial resources to ensure implementation. Experience on Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change and Resilience Building Measures Mr. Ravi Shanker Mungra Chief Inspector of Police, Ministry of Environment, National Emergency Centre and Beach Authority, Government of Mauritius Mungra said that Mauritius is projected to experience climate change impacts such as a decrease in usable water resources, sea level rise, coral bleaching, loss of beach land, a decline in agricultural production, and more frequent and intense extreme climatic events. Recognizing the need to move towards a strategic and coordinated approach, he explained that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management program was established in 2013, which uses inundation, flooding and landslide maps to identify areas where people face a high risk of exposure from such hazards, and thus potential displacement. Mungra highlighted that relocation is an important strategy for reducing disaster risk, as is integrating disaster risk considerations within development planning. Managing disaster, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in Bhutan Mr. Yadunath Bagjai Principal Research Officer, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Government of Bhutan Bagjai explained that because Bhutan s mountainous terrain is vulnerable to erosion, landslides and degradation, the Government has taken steps to mainstream disaster risk reduction into local development plans, as well as undertake major structural improvements, such as lowering the level Thortomi Lake in response to potential glacial outbursts, constructing environmentally friendly infrastructure, and promoting bio-engineered community forest plantations. He added that Bhutan has worked towards adapting to climate change by promoting organic farming, developing sustainable land management by means of shorter-duration crops, planting upland instead of in wetland paddies, promoting climate resilient crop varieties, and enhancing community capacity building. Bagjai stressed the need to develop the Climate Change Act, and at the same time highlighted the need for additional resources to effectively implement this and other relevant policies. Protection, Assistance and Durable Solutions to People Internally Displaced due to Disasters in Bangladesh Mr. Sajid Raihan Deputy Director, Programme, Policy and Campaigns, Action Aid, Bangladesh Raihan presented Action Aid s various experiences responding to disaster displacement during flooding in Faridpur, drought in Naogaon, and a cyclone in Kalapara, as well as seeking to protect socially excluded populations exposed to tidal surges in Rakhine. He reported successes achieved, respectively, through crop diversification, advance sales of labor for debt prevention, coastal embankment for fresh water preservation and construction of outside embankment. Raihan highlighted the remaining challenges include balancing quality and quantity (donor requirements) when seeking durable solutions, linking shorter-term responses to longer-term rehabilitation efforts, and promoting policy discourse on urban poverty. Finally, Raihan urged participants to not treat migration as counter to development objectives, look for durable, context specific solutions, and consider designing or redesigning development interventions to include human mobility considerations. Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean 25

26 Climate Induced Forced Displacement (CIFD) Mr. Tanvir Mahmud Advocacy Coordinator, OXFAM Bangladesh Mahmud explained that OXFAM s climate change programme in Bangladesh includes activities to: i) build adaptation and resilience capacity, ii) strengthen the role of NSIA in climate change policy formulation in South Asia, iii) conduct global research on climate-induced displacement, iv) campaign for sustainable rural livelihood opportunities, and v) influence policy development at various levels (SAARC, CoP, UNFCCC). He stated that Oxfam continuously urges relevant agencies to provide the poor with expanded, diversified livelihood options to strengthen resilience to climatic and economic changes. Mahmud urged participants to join efforts to raise climate-induced displacement with global discourses, policies and frameworks, such as within the UNFCCC negotiation process on climate change and other relevant UN processes. Climate Change and Population Movements in Bangladesh: Knowledge Gaps Dr. Peter Kim Streatfield Director, Centre of Population, Urbanization and Climate Change, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh Streatfield explained that migration in Bangladesh is partly driven by reduced agricultural productivity, with predictions that some 45 million will move from rural to urban areas in Bangladesh, which already has some of the worlds most densely populated urban areas. Presenting his studies conducted in Dhaka City and Chittagong City slums, Streatfield emphasized that while the majority of men migrate for employment opportunities, women more commonly move to join family members. In Chittagong Hill, he stated that local tribal landowners have been displaced due to government projects that allocate agricultural land to migrants, while in Dacope, shifts from rice production to large-scale shrimp farming have resulted in lost employment opportunities for rice farmers. Noting that migration trends between rural to rural, or rural to urban areas are most commonly linked to economic drivers, Streatfield emphasized the need to further explore how environmental factors influence people s living conditions and decision-making processes Field Trip to Dacope Sutarkhali Union On the second day of the Regional Consultation, the Government of Bangladesh, with the support of IOM Bangladesh, organized a field trip Dacope Sutarkhali Union to provide participants an opportunity to directly observe and examine how the impacts of climate change are already affecting the environment and peoples lives in Bangladesh. Participants visited Nalian Village to meet with community members and learn about their living conditions firsthand. During the ferry ride to the remote location, Prof. Ainun Nishat presented a contextual analysis of the area, explaining that in 2009, Dacope was one of the areas worst hit by Category 1 Cyclone Aila that triggered a meter tidal surge and affected the lives of 3,000 people. Nishat said that due to saline intrusion, lands are now being converted into shrimp farms despite local preferences for rice plantation, adding that saline levels also make it difficult for the local population to routinely have clean drinking water. Highlighting the efforts of governments and supporting organizations, Nishat identified considerable achievements through i) the introduction of new irrigation techniques and climate resilient seeds, ii) common property harvesting, iii) the provision of solar panels, pond water filters, and commercial water treatment capacity, iv) the construction of dikes and coastal embankments, v) construction of evacuation shelters, and vi) improvement of early warning systems. Despite such improvements, he projected that in five to ten years time most of the population aged will have migrated from the region, noting that those with more economic opportunities could potentially invest in safer housing for their families, with poorer and more vulnerable families likely to remain trapped in sub-human living conditions even in new locations. While commending government and agencies preparedness and life-saving efforts undertaken to date, Nishat emphasized that securing livelihood opportunities for the most vulnerable populations remains the most pressing challenge. 26 OUTCOME REPORT

27 2.3.7 From Khulna to the Global Consultation in Geneva During the last panel discussion, participants identified opportunities for contributing the findings from the South Asian Regional Consultation within the October 2015 Nansen Initiative Global Consultation, and other ongoing regional and global processes. The session was moderated by the Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative, represented by Mr. Johan Meyer of Norway, and Ms. Petra Sigrist of Switzerland. Key messages from the discussion: Upon consolidating the South Asian Regional Consultation s outcomes into the draft Protection Agenda, consultations with States and other key actors on the draft take place until July The Protection Agenda should include practical guidance on how to operationalize bilateral agreements and regional mechanisms, as well as how to apply binding instruments, in a comprehensive approach to responding to disaster displacement. Effective practices should acknowledge efforts and progress achieved by government and civil society organizations in addressing human mobility in the context of disasters and climate change to date, building on existing guidelines when appropriate. The Protection Agenda toolbox should emphasize the need to work closely with affected communities, such as by including civil society organizations in relevant program and policy development and implementation exercises. Participants welcomed suggestions about how the Initiative, its partnering States and relevant organizations could support activities to ensure that the Protection Agenda and post-nansen Initiative arrangements have effective, long-lasting and transformational impacts. Indian Ocean countries welcomed potential cooperation the Nansen Initiative to promote improved understanding on country level climate change risk profiles, similar to what has been done in Mauritius and Madagascar. Participants should advocate for the inclusion of climate change-related displacement within the UN climate change negotiation process, particularly at COP 21 in Paris in December Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and the Indian Ocean 27

28 Chairmanship of the Nansen Initiative Mr. Johan Meyer Refugee Policy Director, Department for UN, Peace and Humanitarian Affairs, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms. Petra Sigrist Diplomatic Advisor, Human Security Division, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Sigrist explained that following the South Asian Regional Consultation, a first draft of the Protection Agenda would be finalized based upon the findings and conclusions from all five completed Regional Consultations and Civil Society meetings, as well as research conducted for the Nansen Initiative. Subsequently, she stated, the draft Protection Agenda would be circulated for input among the Nansen Initiative Steering Group, Consultative Committee and the Group of Friends. Other planned consultations, Sigrist said, include an expert meeting at Chatham House in London, meetings with regional groups in Geneva, regional dialogues (Pacific, Southern Africa and South America) and bilateral meetings between the Chairmanship and relevant States in all regions. Sigrist explained that the final version of the Protection Agenda would be presented at the Nansen Initiative Global Consultation in Geneva, Switzerland on October Meyer emphasized that the official first draft would only be shared after the South Asian Regional Consultation s conclusions had been incorporated, but explained that current draft began with a set of seven key message: 1) displacement related to disasters and the effects of climate change is a reality despite challenges to compile comprehensive data on the phenomenon; 2) the dynamics of disaster displacement and other forms of human mobility vary between regions, as do the regions responses to these challenges; 3) disasters and climate change related displacement is multi-causal; 4) most disaster displaced persons are displaced within their own countries, but for some regions cross-border displacement is more common, with substantial numbers of people potentially moving across borders in the future; 5) cross-border disaster-displacement can, to some extent, be predicted, prevented and managed; 6) States have the primary responsibility to prevent disaster displacement on their territory, provide protection and find durable solutions; 7) States also are primarily responsible for managing and responding to cross-border disaster-displacement. Meyer explained that the draft Protection Agenda poses a toolbox approach to highlight effective practices for responding to disaster displacement. This toolbox, he elaborated, will address issues such as how to identify cross-border disaster-displaced persons, carry out resilience building measures, organize a planned relocation process, facilitate migration with dignity, and undertake measures to better protect and assist disaster displaced persons. The key challenge, Meyer pointed out, is working with agencies mandated across a diverse set of areas such as humanitarian affairs, human rights protection, migration management, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, refugee protection and development. Nevertheless, he affirmed that the Nansen Initiative must contribute in finding international institutional arrangements for better coordinating and responding to issues of disaster displacement and other forms of human mobility in the context of disaster and the effects of climate change. Regarding the Global Consultation, Sigrist explained that the Chairmanship would primarily invite States represented by foreign ministries and other relevant line ministries, but that a number of representatives from key NGOs, CSOs and international organizations would also be invited. Sigrist explained that the one and a half day Global Consultation would consist of three thematic parts: 1) avoiding and preparing for cross-border disaster-displacement; 2) protecting disaster displaced persons; 3) validation of the Protection Agenda. 28 OUTCOME REPORT