Description:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
"Globally three times as many people are now displaced annually because of extreme weather
events and climate change than those displaced due to conflict, with the vast majority of those
displaced living in developing countries, 81% of whom reside in Asia.
The movement and planned
relocation of people and communities from their homes and lands necessitated by the effects
of extreme weather events and climate change is rapidly becoming one of the greatest threats
to the enjoyment of human rights and to broader concerns of peace and security in Myanmar.
Climate displacement from both extreme weather events and climate change are set to pose
a particularly dramatic challenge for the people and government of Myanmar. According to
one survey, the country is currently ranked second out of 187 countries in the Global Climate
Risk Index for vulnerability to climatic natural disasters. Still reeling from the effects of Cyclone
Nargis in 2008, a decade on the country remains worryingly unprepared for dealing with
natural disasters and this will be only further compounded when considering the large-scale
displacement of populations which may occur as a result of climate change impacts such as
rising sea levels, coastal erosion and temporary or permanent inundation.
A recent report has
predicted that sea level in Myanmar will rise by up to 50cm by 2050.3
Apart from some low-lying
areas being permanently inundated, sea level rise will also affect season coastal flooding and
storm surge intensity during cyclones and tropical storms. Additionally, rising salinity levels, salt
water intrusion and ocean acidification will bring additional pressures to livelihood viability of
local communities living in these effected coastal regions.
Given the scale of the crisis affecting Myanmar, the government needs to develop pro-active,
appropriate preventative policies and capacities to specifically respond to climate displacement
threats from both extreme weather events and future climate change If not, millions of people
may be forced to flee their homes and lands along the country?s 2000km coastline. This
potential displacement catastrophe is only further compounded when populations living along
the country?s many rivers and waterways are impacted as floodplains become increasingly
uninhabitable, adding to the massive displacement that has already taken place due to decades
of conflict and disaster. While it is clear that millions will be affected by climate change in the
decades to come, there has been virtually no vulnerability mapping or planning in Myanmar to
identify at risk communities from climate displacement, nor assessments of potential locations
for resettlement. It is also not clear which, if any, targeted institutions, policies or programmes are
in place to support these communities."
Source/publisher:
Displacement Solutions, Ecodev
Date of Publication:
2018-05-23
Date of entry:
2018-10-30
Grouping:
- Individual Documents
Category:
Language:
English
Local URL:
Format:
pdf
Size:
2.75 MB