Philippines Cites Philippine Approach to Address Impacts of Natural Disasters and Climate Change on Migration at UN Dialogue
Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola elaborates PH’s migration, disaster risk reduction and climate change strategies during the panel discussion on “Promoting and Supporting Regional, National, and Local Action on Migration, Environment and Climate Change” at the first session of the 2021 International Dialogue for Migration held 25-27 May 2021 (Photo from NYPM)
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 31 May 2021,– At the 2021 International Dialogue for Migration (IDM) held virtually on 25-27 March 2021, Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola of the Department of Foreign Affairs cited the Philippines’ whole-of-society approach to migration, environment, and climate change to attain the last-mile approach and to ensure that no one is left behind, including migrants. According to the Undersecretary, “Government agencies continue to engage all sectors of society in their plans, programs, and projects,” and added, “local government units are immensely significant in cascading risk-based and evidenced-based information to each community and household.”
The Undersecretary informed the meeting of the vulnerabilities of the Philippines to natural disasters and climate change and the consequent inherent challenges of large-scale displacement in view of these disasters, as was demonstrated by Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which caused the death of more than 6,300 Filipinos and around 2 billion US dollars in damages.
Undersecretary Arriola emphasized that migration and displacement due to climate change is a theme of global significance for vulnerable countries like the Philippines. Noting that at least 74 percent of PH population is exposed to multiple natural hazards, Undersecretary Arriola stated that the worsening weather conditions and natural disasters, especially in rural areas, have driven migration in the Philippines. Low agricultural yields, she continued, have pushed Filipino farmers to enter other labor markets, with some ultimately pursuing work overseas.
“It is our duty to remind nations of our collective commitment under Objective 2, Section 18 of the GCM to create environmental conditions for people to lead peaceful, productive, and sustainable lives in their own countries…” she said noting the Philippines as a Global Compact Champion country.
The first session of the 2021 International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) was held to discuss the key dimensions of the migration, environment and climate change nexus, linked to the broader implementation of global frameworks, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The results and recommendations of the Dialogue will be published in the IDM Red Book which will be made available to all contributors and participants. These recommendations will also feed into upcoming events and forums, including the UNFCCC COP26 and the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) in 2022. -END
For more information, visit https://www.un.int/philippines/ and https://www.facebook.com/PHMissionNY/