Many people forced into exile for ecological reasons have to claim political refugee status. For instance, in 1992 the thousands of people who fled the drought in Mozambique had political refuge status in Zambia. Gaining this status was easy since Zambia needed to increase its refugee population to qualify for more international aid. After the drought ended, the eco-refugees returned to Mozambique before official repatriation started.

Year: 2007

From collection: Environment and Poverty Times #1: WSSD issue

Cartographer: Philippe Rekacewicz, UNEP/GRID-Arendal