At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is urging that climate mobility be included in plans to adapt to climate change. Ugochi Daniels, IOM’s Deputy Director General, emphasized that both those who stay in their homes and those who relocate deserve safety and dignity.
The IOM is active in 80 countries, promoting local solutions to climate-related challenges. Daniels hopes this meeting will highlight the importance of addressing human mobility as a key part of climate action, particularly in national plans and funding for loss and damage.
For Robert Montinard, a Haitian refugee, the conversation is deeply personal. The 2010 earthquake in Haiti lasted only ten seconds but had lasting repercussions, forcing him to flee to Brazil. Now, he leads the Mawon Association, which helps others rebuild their lives away from home. Montinard argues that the voices of refugees must be included in solution-building.
He handed a proposal to Brazil’s First Lady, seeking the establishment of municipal climate councils and actions against environmental racism. Montinard refers to Haiti’s struggles as “climate injustice,” pointing out that while the U.S. quickly rebuilds after hurricanes, Haiti still suffers from the destruction of its 2010 quake.
Similarly, in Ethiopia, Makebib Tadesse speaks to the intersection of climate change and conflict. He notes that climate-related pressures are intensifying competition over land and resources, leading to a cycle of violence and displacement. The impact of climate change, he argues, is becoming as destructive as the civil war that ravaged the country from 1974 to 1991.
Both Montinard and Tadesse are part of a delegation at COP30 organized by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Alongside them is Gardenia Warao, an Indigenous leader from Venezuela.
Actor Alfonso Herrera, serving as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, stresses that refugee voices are often overlooked, yet they have valuable insights to share. He believes it’s crucial to listen to these communities as they face the harsh realities of climate change and displacement.
In recent surveys, over 70% of refugees report that their situations have worsened due to climate change. This highlights an urgent need for action that not only addresses the effects of climate change but also gives marginalized groups a platform to share their stories and solutions.
By elevating these conversations at COP30, there is hope for a transformative approach that integrates the voices of those most affected into climate action plans.
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