Migration, environment, disaster and climate change data in the Eastern Caribbean: Saint Lucia country analysis

This study assesses the national and regional data systems on migration, environment, disasters and climate change in Saint Lucia. The study is part of a series entitled "Migration, Environment, Disaster and Climate Change Data in the Eastern Caribbean" which is based on a regional study assessing the national and regional data systems on migration, environment, disasters and climate change across the Eastern Caribbean. The set of reports includes one Regional Overview and six National Analyses, and they are meant to assist the governments of the Eastern Caribbean in the governance of human mobility related to environmental change, through improved evidence and regional cooperation.

This report highlights the main gaps and limitations that hamper the availability of timely and reliable data on environmental migration across the distinct national agencies in Saint Lucia. Besides the limitation of the ED Card in not presenting climate change impacts and disaster as part of the options provided for the purpose of the visit, the online Travel Registration Form that has been deployed by the Immigration Department, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, does not also probe the reasons for seeking entry into the country. In view of the gaps and limitations identified across the national agencies, the recommendation is for the Immigration Department to, inter alia, consider revising the current Travel Registration Form to include a specific field on “purpose of the visit”. Another recommendation is for the CSO to consider the inclusion of statistics and indicators on climate change and disasters in the cluster dealing with environment.