Nansen Initiative Regional Consultation in South Asia

Results of the Individual Questionnaires

How relevant is the issue of displacement in the context of disasters and climate change for your Country?

• Internal displacement: 24 out of 26 – Important/Very important

• Cross-border displacement: 14 out of 26 – Important/Very important (12 Less important/Not important)

Will DISPLACEMENT in disaster and climate change contexts become more relevant in the future? Why?

• Yes (26 out of 26)

• Reasons: – Impacts of sea level rise on coastal areas and particularly in SIDS (low

lying/coastal) – Disasters will be exacerbated by climate change (floods, storms, tidal

inundation, etc) will affect livelihoods and worsen existing vulnerabilities

– Environmental change due to climate change (desertification, ocean acidification) may lead to displacement

– Overpopulation/unplanned urbanization

Will MIGRATION in disaster and climate change contexts become more relevant in the future? Why?

• Yes (25 out of 26)

• Reasons: – Loss of livelihoods/land– Pre-existing migration patterns for economic reasons– Economic, social, and environmental drivers will be

exacerbated by climate change– Environmental degradation

Which disasters linked to natural hazards have displaced/or prompted people to move in the region?

– Riverbank/Coastal erosion– Landslides– Sea level rise– Sea water inundation/salinity– Melting glaciers– Overflowing lakes/Glacial Lake Outburst Floods– Droughts– Heavy rainfall/floods– Conflict over natural resources– Cold waves– Earthquakes– Cyclones– Tsunami– Desertification– Disease and pests

What are the key protection challenges that people face when displaced in the context of disasters?

– Health (including mental health)– Education– Civil/human rights– Legal rights/frameworks– Economic hardship/security of employment– Social acceptance– Supply of humanitarian aid (food, shelter, etc)– Racism– Territorial disputes– Lack of adequate government support

Vulnerable groups: unskilled migrants, aged people, women, children, disabled perons, the poor, people living in coastal areas

In the event of cross-border displacement, what are the major challenges in providing protection?

– Regional Cooperation– Legal frameworks and agreements (internal, cross-border,

regional, international)– Lack of Resources– Inter-governmental Coordination– Gender sensitive policies– Documentation– Lack of access to public services– Technical /institutional capacity– Data– Lack of political will

Which regional and international policies/legal frameworks are relevant to displacement in

disasters/climate change context?

– SAARC Climate Change policy– International adaptation and mitigation frameworks

(UNFCCC/Cancun Adaptation Framework)– Bilateral and Multi-lateral Legal and policy frameworks on climate

change/disaster displacement– Humanitarian/human rights/refugee laws and policies– Regional peace keeping treaties– Inclusive security agreements– Development policies– UN guiding principles on IDPs– HFA 2

Which national laws and institutions are relevant to displacement in disasters/climate change context?

Laws: Climate change adaptation plans, disaster management plans, Institutions:– Disaster Management Authorities– National Human Rights Commission– Ministries of Environment and Climate Change– Meteorology department– Ministry of Foreign Affairs– Prime Minister’s Office– Ministry of Agriculture– Department of Immigration/border control/home affairs

What are examples of good practice at local, national or regional level?

– Community forest management– Mainstreaming disaster risk management into local/national

plans– Provision of assistance to displaced persons – Involvement of local government in disaster response– Early warning systems– Resettlement laws for development induced displacement– National Adaptation plans– Sea walls– Development or resilient island concept

What key messages will you bring back home after this Consultation?

– Disasters can displace people across borders– Coordinated response by government institutions– The need for international cooperation to address the gaps– The Importance of being resilient/prepared – Disaster-induced displacement needs to be integrated into

development strategies– The importance of regional/intra-regional cooperation– The importance of developing displacement and relocation

policies/frameworks– Displacement should be a government priority– Research on internal displacement due to climate change– Human rights of the victims are important