The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is calling for greater global investment in disaster risk reduction and resilience-building, warning that worsening climate impacts are driving record levels of displacement worldwide.
According to IOM in a press release, recent devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl in Union Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines, shows the urgency of investing in resilience before disasters strike.
Nearly 46 million people were displaced by disasters in 2024, marking the highest number ever recorded. Yet, the agency notes that disaster prevention remains “severely underfunded,” with most governments dedicating less than one per cent of their budgets to risk reduction efforts.
This year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) is being observed under the theme Fund Resilience, Not Disasters, urging a shift from costly emergency responses to proactive prevention and preparedness measures.
IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasised the urgency of rethinking global priorities, stating, “We must reaffirm a simple but urgent message: fund resilience,” adding, “every dollar invested in resilience saves many more in avoided losses and protects the dignity of those most at risk.”
The IOM is calling on governments, donors, and the private sector to scale up investments that reduce disaster-related displacement and strengthen vulnerable communities. This includes integrating human mobility into climate finance strategies to help people adapt, relocate safely, or rebuild after disasters.
As the world prepares for the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), IOM plans to advocate for disaster and climate risk reduction to take center stage in global finance discussions.
The organisation is also promoting new tools like the Risk Index for Climate Displacement and the Climate Catalytic Fund, designed to use predictive analytics and community-driven finance to prevent displacement and safeguard development gains.
