UNHCR Press Release: In Kenya, COP28 delegation highlights the impact of climate change on displaced communities

Representatives of the World Food Program, Emirates Red Crescent, and Intergovernmental Authority on Development joined the high-level delegation on the UNHCR-organized field visit, which highlighted the impact of climate change on refugees and host communities. Across the region, climate impacts continue to exacerbate the challenges vulnerable populations face with the combination of conflict and drought severely affecting their search for safety and basic necessities such as food, water, and a means to survive.

“Forced displacement in this region has primarily been addressed from its conflict dimension. Yet, displacement in this region must take into consideration extreme weather events such as the recurrent droughts which science attributes to climate change which, combined with conflict, are the main causes of displacement,” said UNHCR’s Mazou. He added, “We must act now to ensure that the most vulnerable, who are often those who contribute the least to the problem yet bear the highest cost, are not left alone in their daily struggle and have their voices heard.”

COP28’s Al Suwaidi reflected on the visit and said, “The Dadaab Refugee Complex, which is one of the largest refugee settlements in the world, is a striking example of the urgent and interconnected challenges the world faces.” He added, “Unpredictable weather patterns and the devastating Horn of Africa droughts have disrupted communities and livelihoods.”

He elaborated: “We see how peace and stability can become compromised when resources grow scarce, and tensions rise. The stories I have heard from refugees and host communities in Dadaab are a stark reminder of why we must continue to drive equitable and just climate action that leaves no one behind.”

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) will take place in Dubai, UAE, from 30 November until 12 December 2023. This year's climate summit will dedicate a day to Relief, Recovery, and Peace as part of its two-week thematic agenda to explore ways to relieve vulnerable communities while strengthening resilience and recovery. The COP28 Presidency and partners are working to bring together political commitment, policy reform, capacity strengthening, and programmatic initiatives to scale finance and action for fragile communities.

A key focus of COP28’s action plan is to place people, lives, and livelihoods at the heart of climate action, with a focus on fast-tracking a just, orderly, and equitable energy transition, enhancing climate finance, and mobilizing action for what is planned to be the most inclusive COP.

Kenya continues to be among the top refugee-hosting countries in Africa and is heavily impacted by regional spillover factors. It hosts more than 630,000 refugees, mainly in Dadaab and Kakuma. The country has witnessed increased movement waves due to intensifying climate shocks, contributing to food insecurity, tensions, and cycles of conflict in neighboring countries.

In the Horn of Africa, while rain finally returned in May, the effects of a severe drought, the worst in decades, continue to impact the lives of millions of displaced and local communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. While a rapid scale-up of humanitarian assistance since early 2022 undoubtedly saved many lives, funding constraints continue to risk reversing gains made.

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See UNHCR’s Regional Drought Appeal for Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Khaled Kabbara

Communications Officer- GCC Countries

+971 50 641 0868

kabbara@unhcr.org

Kathryn Porteous

Communication Officer – UNHCR Kenya

+254 797 184 298

porteous@unhcr.org

Faith Kasina

Regional Spokesperson for the East, Horn of Africa, and Great Lakes Region

+254 113 427 094

kasina@unhcr.org

This press release is originally published by the UN Refugee Agency- UNHCR.