Climate Change-Induced Environmental Displacement: A Legal Challenge to the Effectiveness of Humanitarian Assistance in Armed Conflicts

Abstract

This study aims to clarify the implications of the failure to establish a legal status for ‘environmentally displaced persons’ under the rules of international humanitarian law. This is primarily in relation to the effectiveness of humanitarian assistance directed towards them, given that they are victims of the combined effects of both climate change and the threat of ongoing armed conflicts, such as those in Yemen and Gaza.

The study concluded that this lack of recognition has resulted in a deterioration of the humanitarian situation of environmentally displaced persons within conflict zones, increased pressure on humanitarian organizations, and a shortage of humanitarian assistance funding, thereby posing a legal challenge to the effectiveness of humanitarian assistance directed towards them during armed conflicts.