1. THEME
Addressing drivers of migration, including the adverse effects of climate change, natural disasters and human-made crises, through protection and assistance, sustainable development and poverty eradication, conflict prevention and resolution
Sophie Nonnenmacher
Deputy Regional Director for Central and West Africa
IOM, Regional Office, Dakar

2. Drivers of Migration
Drivers of migration – factors influencing peoples decision to migrate.
A contextualized understanding of these factors is essential for formulating policy interventions.
Government policies affect the decisions potential migrants make with regard to their choice of channels and mode of migration.
Primary focus is not to stop the flow of migration but to reduce unsafe, irregular migration and reduce vulnerabilities.

3. Drivers of Migration in Africa
Diversity of primary factors in different sub region/country of the African continent
Some common elements

4. ……..Drivers Socio-Economic development Human-made crises
Environmental drivers: climate change and natural disasters (whether through sudden or slow-onset environmental changes)

5. Socio Economic Development and Poverty
The search for livelihood and economic opportunities (including poverty and food insecurity) still remain primary drivers of migration in the region. (Not the poorest)
Current demographic changes and expected trajectories: a high rate of population growth and the consequent youth bulge in developing countries.
Tradition\ethnicity: pastoralism, community across borders.
both the interplay of multi-faceted drivers as well as the positive contributions of migrants to development can be addressed through development measures and international cooperation to create favorable conditions for productivity and economic growth at local, national and regional levell

6. Human made crisis
necessity to migrate may arise due to drivers such as conflict, violence, human rights violations and discrimination
Movements mainly within the region
interrelations between peace, development and human rights = importance of an integrated approach to conflict prevention and resolution (importance of bridging the humanitarian-development gap)

7. Environmental events and processes
Natural hazards:
Meteorological, hydrological, climatological, geophysical
Impact of natural hazards is influenced by human activity
Disasters:
serious disruption of the society/community functioning and losses that exceed the ability of a community or society to cope
Climate change:
identified change in the climate over extended periods
Climate extremes:
Change in tropical storms; Change in rainfall patterns; Increase in temperatures; Melting of mountain glaciers
Slow onset events:
E.g. Sea level rise; Increasing temperatures; Ocean acidification; Glacial retreat; Land salinization; Desertification
CC = due to natural processes (e.g. ice age cycles), external forcings (e.g. solar cycles), or man-made changes (mainly changes to atmospheric composition and land use)
Some observable / predicted impacts
Climate change has also been linked with more hot days and nights, intense cyclones, more frequent heavy rains and more likely coastal hazard impacts.
In addition to water stress, changes to crop productivity, disease vectors,…
2 Key concepts which I will come back to:
Vulnerability = the propensity to be adversely affected by a change
Resilience = the capacity of individuals, but also social, economic and environmental systems to cope with a hazardous event or trend, by responding, reorganizing in a way that maintains essential functions and structures.
More simply: What we are interested in: impact on livelihood and functioning and structure of societies – how and where food is produced, where we get energy from, where people settle, and whether people will move and how.

8. Environmental events and processes
Adverse effects of climate change and natural disasters
complex interrelations of environmental factors and other drivers of migration, in particular slow-onset climate change tends to exacerbate socioeconomic vulnerabilities
migration should not be regarded as a mere failure to adapt to changing conditions, but rather as a proactive adaptation strategy
natural disasters: most displacement occurs internally, but can lead to international migration
Importance of comprehensive approaches from prevention, risk reduction, to protection, and assistance
CC = due to natural processes (e.g. ice age cycles), external forcings (e.g. solar cycles), or man-made changes (mainly changes to atmospheric composition and land use)
Some observable / predicted impacts
Climate change has also been linked with more hot days and nights, intense cyclones, more frequent heavy rains and more likely coastal hazard impacts.
In addition to water stress, changes to crop productivity, disease vectors,…
2 Key concepts which I will come back to:
Vulnerability = the propensity to be adversely affected by a change
Resilience = the capacity of individuals, but also social, economic and environmental systems to cope with a hazardous event or trend, by responding, reorganizing in a way that maintains essential functions and structures.
More simply: What we are interested in: impact on livelihood and functioning and structure of societies – how and where food is produced, where we get energy from, where people settle, and whether people will move and how.

9. In summary: Seasonal, temporary or permanent migration
Voluntary and forced migration
Internal (rural-urban)/international movements
Drivers not just negative factors but like in other region: peoples move for work, study , family.
Response within migration management scope:
Protection of vulnerable migrants
Inclusion of migration\migrants in national/regional disaster risk reduction plans/ peace agreements
Importance of linking migration policy and development policy as well as humanitarian responses
Policy that supports safe, orderly and regular migration
In summary:

10. Thank you!