DEPUTY CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICER LAUNCHES WORKSHOP ON MIGRATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE

MMTF stakeholders in a joint discussion at UN building

In a significant step towards addressing the intersection of migration, environment, and climate change, Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Sandile Mazibuko officially inaugurated a one-day workshop yesterday at the United Nations building in Mbabane. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the United Nations, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Management Agency, the Migration Management Task Force, private sector actors, and academia.

During his opening remarks, Mazibuko highlighted the crucial role of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) as a co-implementing partner in this strategic project. “NDMA’s expertise in disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and emergency response forms an essential pillar in our collective effort to address climate-induced mobility. Their role strengthens the national capacity to anticipate displacement risks, safeguard vulnerable communities, and integrate disaster preparedness into our migration management framework,” he stated.

The Deputy Chief Immigration Officer emphasized the importance of cooperation among all stakeholders, urging them to stay united in their shared responsibility to ensure that Eswatini is prepared, adaptive, and proactive in responding to climate-driven mobility. He encouraged participants to engage in open dialogue, foster strong collaboration, and contribute forward-looking ideas throughout the day’s discussions.

Gcebile Dlamini from NDMA also addressed the assembly, pointing out that various hazards, such as droughts, floods, heatwaves, tropical storms, wildfires, and land degradation, significantly impact movement patterns, leading many individuals to migrate from rural areas to urban centers. She critically noted that the current Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Act does not adequately address migration issues, and highlighted the National Adaptation Plan's insufficient integration of mobility considerations.

Dlamini concluded her remarks by underscoring the need to enhance early warning systems and to integrate mobility into both climate and DRM policies. “It is vital that we strengthen early warning for mobility-sensitive planning,” she urged.

Adding to the discussion, Sabira Coelho, the Regional Thematic Specialist on Climate Action, elaborated on the complexities of environmental migration. She noted that such migration can be internal or international, forced or voluntary, temporary or permanent. Coelho cited statistics indicating that Eswatini had 56 internally displaced persons in 2024 and mentioned that across Africa, 16 million individuals have been internally displaced over the past 15 years, with 4.9 million displaced due to disasters and 1.1 million due to conflicts and violence.

Coelho underscored the urgency of developing solutions for those on the move, advocating for approaches that facilitate both mobility and stability. “We must create pathways for people to either move or remain safely in their homes, adapting to the challenges posed by climate change,” she emphasized.

The workshop aims to develop strategies that holistically incorporate migration into climate change responses, ultimately enabling Eswatini to better manage the challenges posed by environmental changes on population movements. As discussions progress, participants remain hopeful that collaborative efforts will lead to more robust policies and frameworks to protect affected communities in the face of climate adversity.