In 2024, the world witnessed an unprecedented surge in disaster-induced displacement, with a staggering 46 million people forced to flee their homes due to natural calamities. This figure underscores the escalating impact of climate change and environmental degradation on human settlements. From catastrophic floods in South Asia and Africa to devastating landslides in the Pacific, the year was marked by a series of disasters that disrupted lives and livelihoods across the globe.
The Global Landscape of Disaster-Induced Displacement
The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) reported that in 2024, natural disasters accounted for a significant portion of the 76 million people displaced within their countries. While conflicts remained a primary driver, climate-related events such as floods, storms, and landslides contributed to a substantial number of displacements. Notably, disasters often led to temporary displacement, with many individuals returning home once conditions stabilized.
Regional Highlights
South Asia: Bangladesh and India
Cyclone Remal, which struck in May 2024, became the largest disaster displacement event of the year. Forming in the Bay of Bengal, the cyclone affected both Bangladesh and India, leading to approximately 1.6 million displacements—1.1 million in Bangladesh and 548,000 in India. The cyclone’s heavy rainfall and storm surges caused extensive flooding, particularly in Bangladesh’s Khulna region. Remarkably, proactive disaster risk management and anticipatory actions resulted in 809,000 pre-emptive evacuations in Bangladesh, highlighting the effectiveness of early warning systems.
Africa: South Sudan and Nigeria
In South Sudan, prolonged heavy rainfall and the overflow of Lake Victoria led to catastrophic flooding starting in August 2024. Over 735,000 people across 38 counties were directly impacted, with 65,000 displaced. The Sudd wetland region’s expansion raised concerns about permanent displacement due to climate change.
Nigeria’s Borno State experienced severe flooding in September 2024 after the collapse of the Alau Dam. This disaster resulted in at least 150 deaths and displaced over 419,000 people. The flooding submerged 70% of Maiduguri and Jere local government areas, marking it as the worst in three decades.
Pacific Region: Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea faced multiple disasters in 2024. The most devastating was the Enga landslide in May, which buried six villages and resulted in an estimated 670 deaths, with some reports suggesting up to 2,000 fatalities. The landslide displaced over 4,000 people and destroyed critical infrastructure, including roads and health centers.
Additionally, the East Sepik region was hit by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in March, killing five people and destroying around 1,000 homes. The disaster was compounded by concurrent severe flooding, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Southeast Asia: Bangladesh Floods
In August 2024, Bangladesh experienced one of its worst flood events in recent history. Heavy rainfall and a sudden water surge from upstream in India led to severe flooding across 11 districts, affecting approximately 5.8 million people. Over 502,000 individuals were displaced, and the disaster caused significant damage to agriculture and infrastructure, with losses estimated at over a billion dollars.
The Humanitarian Response and Challenges
The scale of displacement in 2024 posed significant challenges for humanitarian organizations and governments. While early warning systems and pre-emptive evacuations proved effective in some regions, the sheer magnitude of disasters overwhelmed response capacities in others. In Papua New Guinea, for instance, rescue efforts were hampered by difficult terrain and the risk of additional landslides, leading to the cessation of body recovery operations.
Moreover, the intersection of climate change and displacement highlighted gaps in existing policies. In the United States, for example, immigration policies lack provisions for climate migrants, leaving many without legal pathways to seek refuge. Advocacy groups have called for comprehensive reforms to address this emerging challenge.
The Path Forward: Building Resilience
The unprecedented displacement figures of 2024 underscore the urgent need for global action to address the root causes of climate-induced disasters. Investments in resilient infrastructure, sustainable urban planning, and robust disaster risk management are critical. Urban areas, in particular, must prioritize people-centric planning to mitigate the impacts of climate change and reduce vulnerability to disasters.
Furthermore, international cooperation is essential to support countries disproportionately affected by climate disasters. This includes financial assistance, technology transfer, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness and response.
Frequently Asked Question
What caused the record displacement in 2024?
Extreme weather events like floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and landslides drove displacement.
These events were intensified by climate change and poor infrastructure.
Many people had to leave their homes temporarily or permanently.
Which countries were hit the hardest?
Bangladesh, India, South Sudan, Nigeria, and Papua New Guinea were among the worst affected.
They faced deadly cyclones, dam failures, floods, and landslides.
High population density and weak disaster response systems worsened the impact.
Were any early warning systems effective?
Yes, countries like Bangladesh used early warning systems to evacuate hundreds of thousands.
These systems helped reduce fatalities during major events like Cyclone Remal.
Preparedness made a clear difference in saving lives.
How does climate change contribute to displacement?
It increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters.
Sea-level rise, stronger storms, and erratic rainfall patterns threaten vulnerable regions.
People are often forced to flee with little chance of return.
Are displaced people able to return home?
Some do return once conditions improve, especially after short-term events like floods.
But in many cases, homes are destroyed or areas become uninhabitable.
This leads to long-term or even permanent displacement.
What long-term solutions are needed?
Stronger infrastructure, sustainable urban planning, and climate adaptation funding.
International cooperation is crucial to support vulnerable nations.
Legal protections for climate-displaced people are also urgently needed.
Conclusion
The year 2024 stands as a stark reminder of the escalating human cost of climate change and environmental degradation. With 46 million people displaced by disasters, the global community faces a moral imperative to act decisively. By investing in resilience, reforming policies, and fostering international solidarity, we can work towards a future where communities are better equipped to withstand and recover from the challenges posed by our changing climate.
