Oxfam has revealed a stark increase in the displacement caused by water-related disasters over the past decade. According to the Global Internal Displacement Database (GIDD), the total number of forced internal displacements due to floods and droughts in the 10 most affected countries surged from 3,588,827 in 2013 to 7,909,369 in 2023, marking a staggering 120.38% increase.
Last year alone, 3.4 million people were displaced by these calamities.
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The Countries Most Affected
The list of countries hit hardest by these water disasters includes Somalia, China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Kenya, Ethiopia, India, Brazil, Bangladesh, and Malaysia.
In these nations, the number of displacements skyrocketed, with Somalia experiencing 223 flood or drought events in 2023 compared to just two in 2013. The Philippines faced 74 such events, Brazil 79, and Malaysia 127, all significant increases from 2013.
Climate Change and Hunger
Climate change has exacerbated the frequency and severity of floods and droughts. Oxfam’s data shows that in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Pakistan, and Somalia, the number of people suffering from acute hunger rose from 14 million in 2013 to over 55 million in 2023.
These countries are among the least prepared to cope with the impacts of climate change, as indicated by their low rankings on the ND-GAIN Country Index.
Nuzhat Nueary, Oxfam Water Insecurity and Climate Policy Coordinator, emphasized the injustice of climate change impacts: “From the scores dying from scorching heat in Bangladesh to the thousands forced to flee floods in Pakistan, it is the most vulnerable people – and those least responsible for the climate crisis – who are bearing the brunt.”
Somalia: A Case in Point
Somalia’s situation illustrates the severe consequences of climate change. The country has endured continuous temperature rises and more frequent and prolonged droughts, followed by flash floods and cyclones.
Despite contributing less than 0.03% of global carbon emissions, Somalia has suffered billions in losses. The last Deyr rainy season alone, following five consecutive drought seasons, caused massive flooding, displacing 1.2 million people and killing 118.
A displaced father in Baidoa, Somalia, Hassan Mohamed, shared his harrowing experience: “I lost all my animals to the drought. I fled on foot with my children, and it took me three days to get to Baidoa. It was a difficult journey. I had no food or water for my children. Some got sick along the way.”
Bangladesh’s Struggle
In Bangladesh, unpredictable cyclones and other water-related disasters forced more than 1.8 million people to leave their homes in 2023. Despite contributing only 0.56% of global carbon emissions, Bangladesh ranks as the seventh most vulnerable nation to climate change impacts.
The continuous displacement has severely damaged infrastructure, including schools and markets, disrupting essential services.
Asgor Kha and Moriom from Satkhira, Bangladesh, recounted their ordeal: “We have lost our homes four times due to cyclones. We are still in debt for having taken a house loan. Our son is our only earning member, but he struggles to find any work in the area.”
Zerin Ahmed, Oxfam’s Senior Program Officer in Bangladesh, highlighted the dire situation: “With no crops or income families have been forced to move, some multiple times. Those who are left behind live with constant fear about the future, as cycles of consecutive disasters have depleted all their resources, exhausting their last ability to cope.”
Urgent Call to Action
Oxfam calls for immediate action to address these crises. Nueary stated, “Rich polluting nations must cut emissions and provide adequate climate finance to countries most impacted by the climate crisis so that they can cope better and rebuild after climate shocks.”
Nueary also emphasized the need for funding the new loss and damage scheme: “It is not a courtesy gesture but an obligation for the damage they have caused. With proper funding, the most impacted nations can develop early warning systems and other measures to prepare for and mitigate the effects of climate change.”
Local communities, especially women, youth, and indigenous groups, are crucial in responding to climate challenges and must be central to climate decisions, funding, and action. Ending the suffering caused by climate change is possible with coordinated global efforts and the necessary financial support.
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