UNHCR Warns of Mass Displacement in East Africa Due to El Niño Flooding
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has issued a stark warning that severe flooding, exacerbated by a strong El Niño weather pattern, could displace up to three million people across Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda by the end of 2026. This projection is part of a broader report highlighting that nearly 90 million forcibly displaced individuals globally, roughly three out of four, reside in countries highly susceptible to climate-related hazards such as droughts, floods, and extreme heat. The report, titled 'No Escape III: Displaced Voices from the Frontlines of the Climate Crisis,' emphasizes that many displaced populations face additional threats in host countries with limited resources for climate change adaptation. The UNHCR notes a concerning trend where over two-thirds of refugees returning home in the first half of 2026 went back to climate-vulnerable nations, raising questions about the sustainability of their returns. Extreme heat is also a critical challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, ...