Climate Refugees in Dadaab: A New Wave of Displacement Amidst Climate Disasters

The Environmental Justice Foundation’s report highlights the struggles of Somali climate refugees in Dadaab amid increasing climate disasters. The camp, originally built for 90,000, now houses over 320,000 due to droughts and flooding. With rising numbers of displaced individuals, the report emphasizes the urgent need for international intervention to protect the rights of climate refugees and address the injustices stemming from climate change.

The phenomenon of climate-induced displacement has reached alarming levels, particularly in the Dadaab Refugee Camp, where Somali climate refugees face dire circumstances as a result of a series of catastrophic weather events exacerbated by climate change. A newly released report by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) highlights the devastating impact of extreme flooding in the Horn of Africa, contributing to a new surge of refugees in the camp, which is already stretched far beyond its intended capacity. The report indicates that the annual average of people displaced globally has escalated, with 32.6 million individuals forced to leave their homes in 2022 alone, reflecting a significant rise in migration due to climate crises. Within the confines of Dadaab, originally designed for 90,000, the current population has surged to over 320,000, following droughts and conflicts in the region. The personal narratives provided by the EJF illuminate the human impact of these environmental challenges, revealing lives upended and survival in jeopardy. As a predominantly pastoral society, the Somali community has felt the brunt of climate change particularly harshly, with minimal contribution to global carbon emissions. For instance, Somalia’s per capita emissions in 2019 were merely one-fifth of that of the European Union, underscoring the injustice contributing to their suffering. Residents of Dadaab recount the destruction wrought by drought—an occurrence predicted to be 100 times more likely due to human-induced climate change—resulting in the loss of livestock and livelihoods. Many, like one mother of seven, Halima Hassan Ibrahim, described the heartbreaking reality of losing every one of their cattle and goats amid relentless environmental turmoil. Furthermore, the aftermath of heavy rainfall has led to outbreaks of diseases such as measles and cholera, further exacerbating the existing malnutrition crisis. Recent data reveals that over 23.5 million individuals in the region are experiencing acute food insecurity, with a staggering number of casualties reported. The EJF stresses the urgency of international intervention to alleviate the suffering of Somali refugees and protect their basic human rights amidst this escalating crisis. Environmental Justice Foundation’s CEO, Steve Trent, emphasizes that the loss of life and displacement driven by the climate crisis stems from choices made by individuals prioritizing profit over people. He calls for incorporating climate refugees into the international legal framework for refugee protection, defending the rights of those most affected by climate change. Fardowsa Sirat Gele, a reporter, stresses the moral responsibility to take action, stating that the most vulnerable populations must not be ignored as climate disasters continue to unfold. The rising number of testimonies reveals how intertwined the climate crisis is with humanitarian issues, making evident the necessity for systemic change to safeguard those affected by environmental injustices, and uphold a compassionate global response to the ongoing climate crisis. EJF’s work is critical in advocating for environmental justice while continuing to document and expose hardships faced by climate refugees.

The Dadaab Refugee Camp, located in Kenya, serves as a haven for many Somali refugees, particularly those fleeing climate-related disasters and confounding socio-political issues. Climate change in the Horn of Africa has resulted in increasingly frequent and severe weather events, such as droughts and floods, which significantly contribute to displacement. The rise in climate refugees in Dadaab underscores the urgent need for global awareness and policy reform to address the humanitarian crisis stemming from climate-induced displacement and to provide necessary support for displaced populations. The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has been actively documenting and highlighting the challenges faced by climate refugees and advocating for critical support measures to assist vulnerable communities, especially amidst changing environmental conditions that exacerbate existing socio-economic challenges.

In conclusion, the plight of Somali climate refugees in Dadaab is a stark reminder of the rich-poor divide exacerbated by climate change. The Environmental Justice Foundation’s report sheds light on the growing intersections of environmental degradation and human rights crises, calling for immediate global action and systemic reforms. As climate-related disasters continue to escalate, it is imperative that international bodies prioritize the protection of climate refugees and address the root causes of displacement to mitigate further suffering and injustice.

Original Source: ejfoundation.org