Regional Responses to Climate Displacement Programme officially kicks-off in Southern Africa and the South-West Indian Ocean Region
In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, 17.3 million internal displacements were recorded in 2025, including 2.9 million linked to disasters. Southern Africa remains particularly exposed to recurrent cyclones, with the 2024–2025 cyclone season alone triggering more than 826,000 displacement movements across the region.
The SAIO cluster, comprising Malawi (lead), Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles, is among the regions most exposed to climate shocks. Designated a climate “hotspot,” it faces increasingly frequent cyclones, floods, and droughts, which continue to drive displacement, strain national systems, and impact livelihoods, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Modester Stoken, a community representative from Mangochi shared firsthand experiences of climate-related shocks, highlighting the human impact behind the data and the urgent need for locally grounded solutions.
“The floods that came on 18 March 2026 were far worse than anything we had experienced before. Water entered our homes all at once, and we were left in shock. Today, we cannot return to where we once lived, as the area has turned into rice fields. We are grateful that our traditional leaders have allocated us land to start again, but we need support to rebuild our homes and our lives. We call on the government and partners not to leave us behind,” said Modester.
Against this backdrop, the RE2CLID Programme represents a critical opportunity to support a shift from reactive crisis response to anticipatory, risk-informed action, strengthening the ability of governments and communities not only to respond to displacement, but to prevent and minimize it.
"Displacement is one of the most significant human consequences of climate change, yet it is often insufficiently reflected in climate planning and investment," emphasized IOM Chief of Mission to Malawi, Ms. Fatma Said. "Through RE2CLID, we have an opportunity to bridge that gap. By strengthening data, forecasting and preparedness systems, and by integrating displacement considerations into climate adaptation and disaster risk management efforts, we can equip communities and institutions with the information they need to anticipate risks, reduce vulnerabilities, and make informed decisions. This initiative reflects our collective commitment to building resilience before crises occur and ensuring that no community is left behind in the face of a changing climate."
The programme is implemented in close collaboration with national and sub-national authorities, including key ministries, departments and agencies, district councils and local leaders. It also engages regional bodies such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), as well as international and civil society partners to ensure coordinated, inclusive, and locally grounded responses.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, the Minister of Natural Resources, Honourable Patricia Wiskes, MP, underscored the Government of Malawi's commitment to addressing the growing impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, including displacement.
“The Government of Malawi recognizes the urgency of tackling climate induced displacement as part of sustainable development, resilience building, and climate change adaptation. This commitment is reflected in our national development blueprint, the Malawi 2063, and key strategies such as the National Resilience Strategy (2018–2030), the National Disaster Risk Management Policy (2025), and the National Adaptation Plan, all aimed at strengthening community resilience. The RE2CLID Programme comes at a most opportune time, providing a crucial platform to understand, prevent, and respond to the drivers of climate induced displacement.”
The programme promotes regional cooperation, recognizing that climate displacement often transcends national borders. Through strengthened coordination and knowledge-sharing mechanisms, RE2CLID will support harmonised approaches and joint responses to shared risks across participating countries.
“As part of the Team Europe Initiative on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in Africa, RE2CLID serves as a cornerstone of the EU’s Global Gateway engagement with the continent. It translates the shared commitments of the 6th EU–AU Summit and the Paris Agreement into tangible, cross-border action,” said H.E. Daniel Aristi Gaztelumendi, EU Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi. “The RE2CLID programme reflects the EU's enduring dedication to building climate resilience from the ground up by partnering directly with local communities and national institutions. By integrating data, financing, and implementation, the programme addresses a critical void in current disaster management: climate-induced displacement’.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation by the Government of Malawi, IOM, and the European Union of their shared commitment to advancing coordinated, forward-looking approaches to climate displacement, strengthening resilience, and promoting sustainable and inclusive solutions for affected communities across the region.