Climate change as a driver of humanitarian crises and response

This paper explores the relationships between climate change, humanitarian crises, and humanitarian response through a review of published and grey literature. The paper examines the historical evidence for associations between climate change and humanitarian crises, and then move on to a brief review of present humanitarian crises directly attributable to disasters triggered by climatological events. A look at three interrelated aspects of future trends: changing weather patterns, increasing societal vulnerabilities, and shifting demographics.

Strengthening the humanity and dignity of people in crisis through knowledge and practice

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the relationships between climate change, humanitarian crises, and humanitarian response through a review of published and grey literature. On a global level, we seek to defi ne the nature of humanitarian crisis and response and better understand connections to trends in climate change. To do this, we examine the historical evidence for associations between climate change and humanitarian crises, and then move on to a brief review of present humanitarian crises directly attributable to disasters triggered by climatological events. Finally, we look at three interrelated aspects of future trends: changing weather patterns, increasing societal vulnerabilities, and shifting demographics. We first explore the anticipated direct effect that climate change will have on humanitarian crises via the frequency and geography of extreme weather events. Second, we look at how some of the major drivers of human vulnerability are likely to affect this relationship. As part of this, we examine the role of globalization, urbanization, migration, and population growth, and briefly review examples of state-aided vulnerability. Third, we anticipate the likely and desired response of states to their future disaster loads and analyze the challenge this new future poses for international humanitarian agencies. We conclude with some thoughts on the policy and practical implications for the aid community, academia, and donor and crisis-affected states, emphasizing the need to shift from a mind-set in which crisis response is exceptional and interventionist to one in which managing crises is seen as the norm, part of sovereignty, and internalized within more formal international and national arrangements.