In 2007, the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC authoritatively established that human-induced climate change is accelerating and already has severe impacts on the environment and human lives. Although there is not a mono-causal relation between climate change, disasters, displacement and migration, the existence of a clear link between the phenomena is increasingly recognised.

This paper presents some initial empirical findings in relation to this link, focusing on two African countries: Somalia and Burundi.

The research is based on both a desk-study and a field study. The field trip was carried out in July 2009.

A field study with limitations cannot provide a detailed or comprehensive account. Rather, the intention was to sketch out some findings that can provide a starting point for further research. These findings are the subject of the next sections of the paper.

While much more research is needed, this paper has also made the case to have enough knowledge to act now.