Climate Change
90 million displaced people at risk from climate threats, UN refugee agency says
In the first half of 2026, more than two-thirds of refugee returns were to countries highly exposed to climate hazards, placing them at risk of renewed displacement, the report said.
Nearly 90 million forcibly displaced people are living in countries increasingly exposed to climate-related droughts, floods and extreme heat, the UN refugee agency said on Friday, warning ahead of the COP31 climate summit that more funding is needed to help vulnerable communities adapt.
Nearly three-quarters of the world’s forcibly displaced people are living in countries such as Afghanistan and Bangladesh that are exposed to severe climate-related risks, according to the report by the agency, known as UNHCR, published ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey. The findings show the overlap between conflict, displacement and climate change, the report said.
“Climate adaptation in fragile and displacement-affected areas is a matter of survival,” said Anton Leis Garcia, UNHCR’s assistant high commissioner for operations.
“We need climate financing to reach the communities where the needs are greatest,” he said.
The report highlighted the experience of a Sudanese refugee who fled conflict in al-Fashir in June 2023 to the Farchana refugee settlement in eastern Chad. The refugee said she sometimes goes a week without finding safe water and must walk increasingly long distances for alternative sources as nearby seasonal riverbeds dry up amid intensifying heat.
RETURNS AT RISK
It also warned that climate change is making it harder for displaced people to return home sustainably.
In the first half of 2026, more than two-thirds of refugee returns were to countries highly exposed to climate hazards, placing them at risk of renewed displacement, the report said.
In Syria, where nearly 4 million displaced people have recently returned, people face worsening water scarcity and erratic rainfall, while flooding along the Euphrates River in May damaged homes and displaced thousands of people, the report said.
Across sub-Saharan Africa, one in three refugee settlements could experience at least 100 days of dangerous heat each year by 2050, threatening health and livelihoods, the report said. In some settlements in Ethiopia, including Helaweyn, dangerous heat could persist for more than 200 days a year, increasing the risks of heatstroke and premature death.
“Refugees often have limited access to cooling, water and reliable energy, making it harder to escape dangerous temperatures,” the report said.
UNHCR also warned that a forecast supersized El Niño could worsen climate-related risks in many refugee-hosting countries and trigger further displacement.
In East Africa, severe flooding could displace up to 3 million people in Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda by the end of this year, UNHCR said. In the Sahel, drought, flooding and conflict could intensify competition over scarce resources, while parts of Asia face heightened risks of droughts, floods and cyclones.
UNHCR called on governments and climate-finance institutions meeting at COP31 to increase funding for climate adaptation, highlighting that only about 10% of climate finance reaches fragile or conflict-affected countries.
On Wednesday, a separate UN report found rich countries were falling well short of the $305 billion needed each year to help developing nations adapt to climate change, even as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.
Climate Change
IEA to attend UN climate summit for second time since returning to power
The IEA previously attended COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2024. Observer status allows delegates to participate in discussions but does not grant them formal negotiating or decision-making powers.
Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate (IEA) is expected to send representatives to the COP31 United Nations climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, marking its second participation in the global climate conference process since returning to power in 2021.
According to the Associated Press, Rohullah Amin, head of climate change at the National Environmental Protection Agency, confirmed that Kabul plans to send a delegation. A Turkish official also confirmed that IEA representatives had been invited as observers.
The IEA previously attended COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2024. Observer status allows delegates to participate in discussions but does not grant them formal negotiating or decision-making powers.
Afghanistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing recurring droughts, water shortages, extreme temperatures and devastating floods. These challenges threaten agricultural production, livelihoods and food security, while contributing to internal displacement.
The planned participation comes amid continuing disagreements over Afghanistan’s international representation and access to climate financing, with the United Nations yet to recognize the IEA administration as the country’s official government.
COP31 is expected to provide another opportunity to highlight Afghanistan’s growing environmental challenges and its need for international climate support.
Climate Change
Afghanistan outlines environmental priorities to international donors
The meeting aimed to improve coordination between Afghanistan’s institutions and international partners, ensuring future development assistance reflects the country’s environmental needs.
Afghanistan has presented its key environmental and climate-related priorities to international organisations and development partners, seeking stronger cooperation and support for environmental protection initiatives.
The priorities were outlined during the eighth meeting on aligning the priorities of Afghanistan’s sectoral institutions with international organisations, the United Nations and development partners, held at the Marble Palace.
The meeting was organised by the Public Relations Directorate of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office for Economic Affairs, with the National Environmental Protection Agency presenting its key areas of focus.
These include developing a climate change information system, assessing climate vulnerabilities, expanding green spaces, promoting tree planting and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions and ozone-depleting substances.
The meeting aimed to improve coordination between Afghanistan’s institutions and international partners, ensuring future development assistance reflects the country’s environmental needs.
Representatives of international organisations and donor agencies welcomed the initiative and said the priorities would be considered in their future cooperation with Afghanistan.
The discussions form part of broader efforts to strengthen international coordination on environmental protection and address the country’s growing climate-related challenges.
Climate Change
Afghanistan’s environmental protection chief travels to Malaysia for global education conference
Afghanistan’s participation is intended to promote knowledge-sharing and explore potential international partnerships in environmental protection, waste management and climate resilience.
Matiul Haq Khalis, head of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), has travelled to Malaysia with a delegation to participate in the Global Environmental Education Conference (EEC 2026), focusing on environmental awareness, climate resilience and international cooperation.
According to the agency, the conference is scheduled to take place on October 27 and 28 in Kuching, the capital of Malaysia’s Sarawak state.
The conference aims to explore innovative approaches to environmental education, raise public awareness about environmental protection, strengthen communities’ resilience to climate change and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience among participating countries.
The Afghan delegation is expected to share the country’s experiences and proposals in environmental education and waste management with representatives from other countries, while seeking opportunities for cooperation with international organizations, the agency said.
Representatives and experts from various countries and organizations, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), are also expected to attend the conference.
Afghanistan’s participation is intended to promote knowledge-sharing and explore potential international partnerships in environmental protection, waste management and climate resilience.
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