The vast majority of disaster displacement are due to storms, floods and droughts (IDMC, 2018). In addition, an increasing number of people move due to the slow-onset effects of climate change and environmental degradation and this trend is likely to intensify in the future (see Migration, environment and climate change). In 2011, an earthquake-triggered tsunami hit the coast of Japan, killing thousands and causing a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which resulted in short-term evacuation, protracted displacement, relocation and outmigration from affected areas.

Lower-income societies and communities are generally more vulnerable to disasters, suffering greater relative loss of assets, while also having a lower capacity to cope and recover (Twigg, 2004). Failures in development can increase the risk conditions and the experienced intensity of a hazard, or can create new risks. For this reason, disaster risk reduction (DRR) is intrinsically linked to social and economic development. Evidence demonstrates that implementing DRR is significantly more cost-effective than spending on response and recovery (Price, 2018). DRR safeguards development gains and, if done effectively, DRR and resilience building can be economically and socially transformative (see Migration, environment and climate change).

Disaster-resilient infrastructure and human settlements

Disaster-resilient planning of housing and general infrastructure of human settlements helps prevent disaster-induced displacement. The Sendai Framework’s Priority 4b is dedicated to the concept of build back better (BBB). The recovery planning required to be able to BBB should ideally be done prior to disasters, that is, before the next disaster takes place (UNDRR, 2020); however, such planning typically takes place after a crisis, that is, during recovery and solutions (IOM, 2017). For more information, see Solutions and recovery.

BBB aims to strengthen resilience by assessing and addressing root causes of disaster risk. It can contribute to socioeconomic diversification, allowing a society to better absorb the impacts of receiving sudden increases in migrant population. It also plays an important role in building more inclusive and resilient settlements that do not compel people to move again (Guadagno, 2016). Successful BBB requires solid data-collection mechanisms that inform local authorities about the potential number of new arrivals as early as possible (Melde, Lazko and Gemenne, 2017). Mobile populations, such as IDPs, often settle in crowded and slum-like conditions. This in turn increases their vulnerability to future disasters and thus to potential renewed displacement and/or other severe protection risks (IDMC, 2015).

Policy Approaches
Strengthening resilience through building back better
  • Use the results of multi-hazard risk assessments to inform planning for building back better (BBB).
  • Put in place solid data collection mechanisms to inform local authorities about the numbers of new arrivals as early as possible.
  • Conduct training and information outreach to promote hazard-resistant building techniques.
  • Promote an inclusive approach, considering the specific vulnerabilities and needs of the affected population, including marginalized and mobile groups as well as gender, age and diversity considerations.
  • Include present and expected population movements in urban development and service delivery.
Good Practice
Building back better in Pakistan

In 2010, flash flooding in Pakistan affected some 18 million people in 15,000 villages. After providing 30,000 flood-resistant durable shelters, IOM empowered affected populations to lead their own reconstruction process through a system of conditional cash payments. The project made use of locally salvageable materials, local labour and locally purchased material inputs, which was key to the build back better (BBB) approach. It was also important that the project supported training on flood-resistant building methods that adopted and adapted local designs. IOM also supported a national communications initiative that raised awareness of assistance entitlements, spread key risk information and promoted a humanitarian hotline. The communications project was subsequently incorporated into the Government’s national disaster risk management strategy, given its importance to strengthening resilience in recovery and reconstruction.

Source

IOM, 2017.

To Go Further
Planned relocations

Planned relocation can be considered in certain areas that are highly exposed to hazards or that may be made uninhabitable, including as a consequence of climate and environmental change. However, planned relocations can be very disruptive and are often unwanted by populations who may hold deep roots to ancestral land, who may depend on locally-available resources to sustain their livelihood or rely heavily on their social networks, or who may feel that any compensation or support is insufficient to help them start elsewhere. Planned relocations should thus be limited to a minimum scale and only conducted when no appropriate alternative can be identified (see Migration, environment and climate change).

Key messages
  • Most disaster displacement is weather related, for example due to storms, floods and droughts. However, an increasing number of people move due to slow-onset effects of climate change and environmental degradation.
  • Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is an established approach to identify, assess and reduce the risk of disaster. It aims to avoid or to limit the adverse impacts of hazards.
  • Mobility pathways need to be integrated into DRR and development policies.
  • International migrants may also have unique vulnerabilities during disasters or hazardous events.
  • Disaster-resilient planning of housing and general infrastructure of human settlements helps prevent disaster-induced displacement.
  • Planned relocations should be limited to a minimum scale and only conducted when no appropriate alternative can be identified.
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