Nearly 90 million displaced people face severe climate risks: UNHCR

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has called for urgent action to protect millions of refugees and forcibly displaced people increasingly exposed to climate change, warning that climate finance is failing to reach many of the communities most at risk.

In a report released ahead of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, the agency says nearly 90 million forcibly displaced people, representing three in four globally, live in countries facing high to extreme exposure to climate-related hazards. These include severe droughts, deadly floods and extreme heat.

UNHCR stresses that many displaced people are confronting additional threats in their host countries, where resources and opportunities for adaptation to climate change are severely restricted.

The report, titled "No Escape III: Displaced Voices from the Frontlines of the Climate Crisis," features poignant accounts from eight representatives of displaced communities. These personal testimonies illustrate not only the challenges posed by climate change but also the resilience and innovative local solutions that these communities are employing to cope with their circumstances.

A concerning trend is noted in the report, indicating that more than two-thirds of refugees returning home during the first half of 2026 have gone back to countries that are highly susceptible to climate hazards. This raises serious questions about the sustainability of their returns, particularly in places like Syria, where returning refugees face declining groundwater levels and severe shocks due to climate change.

Extreme heat also presents a critical challenge, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

UNHCR projects that by 2050, one in three refugee settlements in this region may experience at least 100 days of dangerous heat annually. For example, settlements in Ethiopia, such as Helaweyn, could see dangerous temperatures for more than 200 days each year, posing significant health risks and threatening livelihoods.

The report further highlights the alarming scale of climate-related displacement, with over 255 million internal displacements caused by weather-related disasters globally over the past decade, averaging about 70,000 movements daily. East Africa is particularly vulnerable; forecasts suggest that severe flooding linked to a strong El Niño could displace up to three million people across Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda by the end of 2026.

Despite these pressing challenges, fragile and conflict-affected nations receive only about 10% of global climate finance, even while hosting large displaced populations at risk. To address this, UNHCR advocates for increased investment in climate adaptation and highlights community-led initiatives in areas like the Sahel, Uganda, and Colombia, showcasing solutions such as solar-powered water systems and climate-resilient agriculture.

At COP31, UNHCR aims to emphasize the necessity of including refugees in national climate plans and calls for a shift from short-term humanitarian aid to sustainable, locally led solutions.