Neglected displacement: human mobility in Pacific disaster risk management and climate change adaptation mechanisms

This paper reviews 19 laws and policy documents from 15 Pacific countries and territories. Drawing on evidence from these documents, this paper analyses how: (i) Pacific Island countries and territories identify their risks and vulnerabilities to natural hazards and climate change; (ii) displacement risks are addressed and the extent to which wider human mobility issues (including migration, planned relocation and resettlement) are considered; and (iii) displacement risks and human mobility issues are incorporated into action plans, strategies and proposed projects.

The documents reviewed are: Pacific National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs), National Action Plans on Disaster Risk Management (NAPs), Joint Action Plans on Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation (JNAPs), disaster risk management and climate change laws and strategies and national development plans.