Drought, food security, migration and Climate: Policy and Conflict Implications

Event Type
World Water Week 2016

Location / Date
Stockholm, 01.09.2016

German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE), International Fund for Agricultural Development, Stockholm International Water Institute, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

Climate induced hazards such as droughts, heat waves, floods and typhoons have clear negative impacts on food security, conflicts and migration.  Influx of migrants witnessed in countries such Israel and Jordan with already highly stressed water resources can elevate migration as a security issue. Drought and water scarcity are pinned down to be a contributing factor for the civil unrest and subsequent migration in Syria. Unfortunately, countries continue to manage drought and water scarcity as a ‘crisis’ and react only after the event has taken its tall with often poorly coordinated emergency relief measures. A silo approach is still the norm.

The event highlighted the interconnectedness of drought, food insecurity, conflict and migration. The role of empowering the vulnerable rural population, relevance of coherent and coordinated proactive policy approach was discussed. Given the multi-faceted nature and interconnectedness of drought, food security, conflict and migration, a particular focus was given to the need for integrated approaches and the institutional coherence in order to identify solutions, minimize cross-sectoral trade-offs and harnessing synergies.

Programme

Keynote

• Climate change, droughts, and migration: Adaptation or conflicts, which will we choose?
  Robert Mcleman, Wilfrid Laurier University:

Panel discussion

• Ousman Sowe, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Water and Wildlife, the Gambia
• Rikke Olivera, IFAD
• Mats Eriksson, SIWI
• Daniel Tsegai, UNCCD

Moderator: Michael Brüntrup, German Development Institute / Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE)

Wrap up and close of event

Hinweis

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