Eventually, the effects of climate change will necessitate required migration from low lying islands and atolls in the Pacific. The first choice for migrants will likely be the urban centres in their own countries. The second choice will be a neighbouring country in the region. The third choice will be somewhere outside of the region. It sounds straightforward, but there are practicalities.
Most urban centres don’t have space or facilities to accommodate an influx of migrants - be they economic or climate induced. As a result, migrants often find space where they can, without realizing that they may be putting themselves at greater risk, as is the case in many urban centres in the Pacific. People live on the banks of flood-prone rivers, near waste disposal sites or high voltage generators. In any or all of these places, people are unlikely to have access to basic water and sanitation services, increasing the risk of consuming contaminated water or increasing the contamination of local water supplies.
Thus, in the selection of a migration destination, it is important to consider if you and your family can live safely and in dignity. Evaluate if your destination is likely to increase your risks and exposure to disaster, climate change, disease and hardship. Choices such as these are difficult to make but long term planning is necessary.
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