CONFABULATING THE DISDAIN REPRESSION OF CLIMATE REFUGEES DISPLACED PERSONS

1. INTRODUCTION

Earth is an abode of millions of living creatures for time immemorial but climate change had been an impediment to the survival and abode of many people. It has led people to abandon their motherland and flee to a foreign country due to floods, earthquakes,volcanic eruption and tsunami etc. The displaced people are victim of inhuman treatment from their native land due to internal forces. They do not cross border of their native land but still remain in fear of persecution, conflict, natural disaster or other emergencies etc in their own homeland. Their rights being recognized at an international level still possess a challenge and has been a fascinating failure against international law.

2. LEGAL AMIBIGUITIES AND PROTECTION GAP

There is no clearly stated rights for displaced person and climate refugee in the international arena. These people live in a state of uncertainty and danger. Lack of internationally recognized rights have caused impact on basic rights such as right to shelter, food, medical care etc. Climate refugees are not even recognised as refugee in such circumstances they dont have refugee rights i.e. right to asylum, protection from deportation to oppressive homeland, right to shelter, education and medical care etc. under the Refugee Convention, 1951. These problems should be addresses by international organisations , well built legal framework and cooperation from people.

3. CLIMATE REFUGEES DO NOT COME UNDER THE TERM REFUGEES

The term climate refugees does not exist in international law. A refugee is a person who crosses international borders due to a well-grounded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion (1951 Refugee Convention). The majority of people displaced by climate change typically move within the borders of their own countries. UNHCR does not endorse the use of the term climate refugee and holds that persons displaced in the context of disasters and climate change is more accurate[1]

4. IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS

Many refugee communities are located in climate change hotspots prone to the effects of climate change and natural disasters which compromises their security and places them at risk of secondary displacement. In Bangladesh, for example, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is helping Rohingya refugees to mitigate the effect of monsoon storms, flooding and landslides etc. Climate change and natural disasters can also be a source of potential conflict between refugees and their host communities if there is competition over natural resources, food, water and land rights. In the Sahel region of Western Africa, where one of the worlds fastest growing displacement crisis is taking place, temperatures are rising 1.5 times faster than the global average and changing weather patterns. The rising temperatures are jeopardizing agricultural activities in places where the majority of the population lives off the land, generating tensions that may lead to new displacement.[2]

5. LIMITED ACCESS TO BASIC SERVICES

Climate change migration causes strain on host communities. Providing the refugees with basic services becomes an ardent task .They suffer to get their basic needs such as clean drinking water, healthcare, shelter, food and education etc be fulfilled . The resources used by the international organisations and humanitarian groups are less to grapple with the needs of displaced people and climate refugees. There should be a deep analysis of the well developed strategies and world resources to be allocated for such humanitarian mission.

6. HARMFUL EFFECTS ON MENTAL HEALTH OF THE CLIMATE REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PEOPLE

• It causes stress and trauma to the displaced people and climate refugees due to their displacement .
• It causes an immense sense of loss and grief as the natural calamities or violence had snatches their land wealth and loved ones.
• It causes breakage of social ties and relations which leads to social isolation
• Some refugees experiences climatic anxiety due to change in their climatic condition . It becomes difficult for them to adapt to the sudden change in climate
• They live on poverty and improvised conditions which caused them stress about their uncertain future. Such people falls into depression ,shock or bipolar disorder etc.
• They face discrimination and racism in the host countries.

7. AMPLIFICATION OF GENDER DISPARITY

• Women and children are vulnerable group in the climatic refugee. They suffer from exploitation and violence at many occassion from the host countries.
• Women become the additional caregiver .
• Women reproductive health is at great risk as there is no services for sanitation and pregnancy
• Women will have less opportunities to economically support her family due to patriarchy and oppression
• Women become target of sexual violence, trafficking and domestic violence etc.

8. EMERGENCE OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INEQUALITY

• The displaces people and climate refugee faces lack of assistance in their everyday life.
• Displacement impact their economic capabilities. During refuge . Wealthier people adapt better to climatic conditions and change in lifestyle
• Displaced communities get marginalized as they have no land and propertial right in the new location
• They also face racism and discrimination and gap in economic standards.
• Socially displaced people faces a lot of health risk and cant afford treatment
• The local residence of the Refugee place are not willing to inculcate the displaced people in the mainstream.

9. INADEQUATE PREPARDENESS AND RESPONSE

All nations are not well versed to deal with the Refugee problem. The unpreparedness leads to ad hoc response unable to provide basic and emergency services necessary for the rehabilitation and reintegration of the displaced people and climatic refugee . There need to be a well developed strategies, outlets and avail of emergency services by the nations all over the world

10. RECOMMENDATIONS

• Global cooperation by the international organizations and nations should develop a framework for providing relief and shared responsibilities among the nations.
• Basic human rights approach is important to incorporate the Refugee and displace person in the mainstream.
• Persecution ,war and violence should be avoid and displacement of people should be penalized by the international community
• Legal rights should be ensued to the refugees for their survival and access to asylum, non discrimination and support
• Financial support should be given to refugee to combat the new challenges
• Awareness and education about climate change and its prevention at international level is important to safeguard the well being of the people
• There should be well researched data on the refugee, trends of their displacement and policies for their revival to frame better decisions
• The local communities should be engaged in programmes of climate change preservation.

11. CONCLUSION

Climate change is a pressing issue and refugees problem aggravates the situation . Climate refugees and displaced person dont only face migration or merely physical relocation . It also involves trauma,grief,social discrimination and abysmal of basic services for their survival. The international law is not suffice to meet emergent and crucial needs of the refugees. Care for nature, avoidance of violence and a well developed international law for the revival of refugee is an essential step towards dealing with the problem and for the development of peaceful and compassionate international community.

THE HOMELAND OF THE REFUGGES IS NOT A PIECE OF DIRT BUT A MASTERPIECE OF ART THAT INSPIRES THEIR SOULS BUT THE CLIMATE CHANGE HAS SHATTERED THEIR ASPIRATION TO REBOUND TO THEIR TERRA FIRMA ONCE AGAIN !

12. CITATIONS

1. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY,"Environmental Refugee" available at https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/environmental-refugee/ (last visited on January 12, 2024)

2. TETSUJI IDA , " Climate Refugee - The World's Forgotten Victims" available at https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/climate-refugees-the-world-s-forgotten-victims/ (last visited on January 12, 2024)