UNHCR Warns 90 Million Displaced People Face Growing Climate Risks

Nearly 90 million refugees and other forcibly displaced people—three in four worldwide—live in countries highly exposed to climate hazards such as drought, floods and extreme heat, according to a new UNHCR report. The agency is urging stronger protection and climate adaptation ahead of COP31, scheduled to take place in Antalya from November 9 to 20, 2026. Climate shocks are threatening people who have already fled conflict and persecution, as well as those returning home. UNHCR says more than two in three refugees who returned during the first half of 2026 went back to countries highly vulnerable to climate hazards. In Syria, floods along the Euphrates in May damaged homes and displaced thousands again. The report also warns that extreme heat could affect refugee settlements across sub-Saharan Africa, while severe flooding linked to El Niño could displace up to three million people in East Africa by the end of 2026. UNHCR says climate finance remains insufficient for fragile and displacement-affected areas, making adaptation essential for safety and sustainable returns.

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