World · Africa · 3 hrs ago
Nearly 90 million displaced people face climate risks, UNHCR says
UNHCR says nearly 90 million forcibly displaced people live in countries increasingly exposed to droughts, floods and extreme heat.
Nearly three-quarters of displaced people are in high-risk countries, including Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
Climate threats add to the dangers faced by people displaced by conflict, including shortages of safe water for refugees in eastern Chad.
Climate change can also make it harder for displaced people to return home safely: in the first half of 2026, more than two-thirds of refugee returns were to countries highly exposed to climate hazards.
Dangerous heat could affect one in three refugee settlements in sub-Saharan Africa for at least 100 days a year by 2050.
Only about 10% of climate finance reaches fragile or conflict-affected countries, UNHCR says.
Ahead of the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, it is urging governments and climate-finance institutions to increase support for adaptation.
Nearly 90 million forcibly displaced people live in countries increasingly exposed to climate-related droughts, floods and extreme heat, UNHCR said.
The agency said nearly three-quarters of the world’s forcibly displaced people are in countries exposed to severe climate risks.
UNHCR warned that climate change is making it harder for displaced people to return home sustainably.
It called for more climate-adaptation funding, noting that only about 10% of climate finance reaches fragile or conflict-affected countries.
UNHCR also warned that a forecast supersized El Niño could worsen risks and trigger further displacement.
- Who
- Nearly 90 million forcibly displaced people, according to UNHCR.
- What
- They face climate risks including droughts, floods and extreme heat.
- When
- UNHCR reported the findings on Nov. 6, ahead of the COP31 climate summit.
- Where
- In countries increasingly exposed to climate risks, including Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
- Why
- Climate hazards are intensifying in fragile and displacement-affected areas, while limited adaptation funding leaves communities vulnerable.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A Sudanese refugee fled conflict in al-Fashir to the Farchana refugee settlement in eastern Chad.
Flooding along the Euphrates River damaged homes and displaced thousands of people, the report said.
More than two-thirds of refugee returns were to countries highly exposed to climate hazards.
UNHCR reported that nearly 90 million forcibly displaced people live in countries exposed to climate-related risks.
- People at risk
- Nearly 90 million forcibly displaced people
- Share exposed
- Nearly three-quarters of the world’s forcibly displaced people
- Climate finance reaching fragile or conflict-affected countries
- About 10%
- Projected dangerous heat in sub-Saharan African settlements
- One in three could experience at least 100 days each year by 2050
- Possible East Africa displacement by end of 2026
- Up to 3 million people in Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda
What people are saying
Climate adaptation in fragile and displacement-affected areas is a matter of survival.
We need climate financing to reach the communities where the needs are greatest.
Refugees often have limited access to cooling, water and reliable energy, making it harder to escape dangerous temperatures.