IOM warns climate risks could drive large-scale South Asian migration

Key takeaways

The UN migration agency's chief warned that climate pressures could force millions in South Asia to move by mid-century.

What happened

Dawn reported International Organization for Migration chief Amy Pope's warning during a visit to India. In a worst-case scenario cited in the reporting, as many as 40.5 million people could be forced to move by 2050. Other coverage of the remarks also described a figure of around 40 million. This is a scenario projection, not a count of people already displaced or a certain forecast.

Why it matters

Rising seas, floods and drought can undermine housing and livelihoods across borders, making adaptation and planned support a regional policy issue.

What to watch

Watch for the full modelling assumptions, country-level plans and adaptation funding. Actual movement will depend on climate and policy choices.

Sources

• https://www.dawn.com/news/2037770/millions-may-be-forced-to-move-as-climate-change-hits-south-asia-un
• https://www.khan.co.kr/en/article/202610172129017
• https://www.unicef.org/asia-pacific/reports/weathering-future-growing-crisis-child-displacement-south-asia