90 Million Displaced Face Climate Crisis

Nearly 90 million people globally are forcibly displaced and living in countries increasingly exposed to climate-related disasters such as droughts, floods, and extreme heat. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has highlighted this critical overlap between conflict, displacement, and climate change, emphasizing that climate adaptation in these fragile areas is a matter of survival.

Climate change is also significantly complicating the possibility of displaced populations returning home sustainably. In the first half of 2026, over two-thirds of refugee returns were to regions with high climate hazard exposure, risking renewed displacement. Examples include Syria, where worsening water scarcity and flooding impact returnees, and sub-Saharan Africa, where refugee settlements face dangerous heat.

UNHCR is calling for increased climate finance for adaptation, noting that only a small fraction reaches conflict-affected nations. The agency warns that events like a potential supersized El Niño could exacerbate risks and lead to further displacement, particularly in East Africa and the Sahel, impacting millions. Urgent international funding is critical to support vulnerable communities.