IOM Chief Warns Reduced Foreign Aid and Climate Crisis are Accelerating Global Displacement

The head of the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has warned that reductions in development aid from wealthy nations are actively driving increased displacement in the world’s most impoverished regions. Speaking to the AFP news agency during the Berlin Climate Mobility Forum on Thursday, Amy Pope emphasized the direct link between funding cuts and forced migration.

“When we see cuts in development assistance, we’re actually just making the likelihood that people will have to leave in search of safety, in search of stability, so much higher,” Pope stated.

She cited Sudan—currently the site of the world’s largest displacement crisis due to ongoing conflict—as a primary example, noting that dwindling humanitarian support forces more Sudanese citizens to seek safety and opportunity further abroad.

Many Western nations, including the United States and several European countries, have recently decreased their development aid budgets while simultaneously tightening border controls and migration policies. Pope argued that these decisions are often driven by domestic political pressures, resulting in “short-term decisions… that may not ultimately serve (them) in the long term.”

She advocated for a more strategic approach, stating that connecting humanitarian assistance to the movement of people in humane, dignified ways that provide agency and opportunity would reduce the likelihood of large-scale migration patterns.

Recent fiscal shifts highlight this trend; upon returning to the White House for a second term, US President Donald Trump cut 83% of USAID programs. Prior to these cuts, the agency managed approximately 42% of global government humanitarian aid. Similarly, Germany’s development budget has decreased from nearly €14 billion in 2022 to just over €10 billion this year.

Climate Change Fuels Migration

Pope also highlighted the “enormous impact” of climate change on global migration. She pointed to the existential threat rising sea levels pose to small Pacific island states like Tuvalu, estimated displacement of 10 million people due to storms in the Philippines, and prolonged droughts across several African regions.

The IOM chief called upon the wealthiest nations—those most responsible for the climate crisis—to increase their support for those forced to flee their homes.

“What are they willing to invest now to ensure more stability, more options, less likely occurrence of unplanned migration in the future?” Pope asked. “Let’s not wait for the emergency… Let’s make the investments now.”

Addressing common political narratives, Pope clarified that the vast majority of displacement occurs internally rather than across international borders. IOM data indicates that by mid-2024, there were an estimated 304 million international migrants, compared to over 700 million internal migrants worldwide.

“In the first instance, people will stay in their country. They will go somewhere in their country if they can find resources or safety. Then they move in the neighbouring countries,” Pope explained.

She concluded that providing support within the most affected nations is not only more cost-effective but also creates a more stabilizing effect. “Really, as policymakers, we should be looking at the issue in terms of where can we provide the most support in a way that saves the most lives.”

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