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Addressing the Land Degradation – Migration Nexus: The Role of the UNCCD

  • Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)
  • International Organization for Migration (IOM)
  • United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
Land and Food

Land remains the most fundamental asset for the majority of vulnerable populations living in developing countries, as their livelihoods are directly linked to agriculture. When desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD) disrupt these livelihoods, migration is often the only option that remains. In new report, the SEI, the IOM and the UNCCD explore the links between land degradation and migration, looking into good practices and lessons learned and recommending policy approaches that address DLDD-specific migration.

The first part of the report provides a review of existing evidence on the complex interrelationships between migration and DLDD. The review shows the complexities that underpin population movements in the context of DLDD, by highlighting that the specific impacts of DLDD on migration depend not only on people’s geographical exposure to risk, but crucially also on their pre-existing vulnerabilities.

The second part compiles evidence from around the world on good practices and lessons learned to combat DLDD as a driver of migration; and enhance migration’s adaptive potential to DLDD. This section  draws on a call for contributions  launched by the UNCCD alongside a  review of existing published evidence.

The third part of the report focuses on policy recommendations to avert, minimize and address the adverse consequences of DLDD on migration. These recommendations target UNCCD Parties and other relevant stakeholders.

Access the full publication here.

[This description was extracted from the report's executive summary]

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