Muscat:The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has issued a warning that millions of individuals are at risk of being displaced due to the intensifying impact of climate-related disasters. The organization highlighted a significant funding shortfall that hampers efforts to address these challenges, pointing out that approximately 30 million displacement cases were recorded in 2025 alone as a result of storms, floods, and other disasters.
According to Oman News Agency, Amy Pope, the Director-General of the IOM, emphasized the consequences of delayed investments in climate adaptation. She noted that such delays are compelling more families to abandon their homes. Pope underscored the necessity of shifting focus from emergency disaster responses to long-term investments aimed at safeguarding affected populations.
The IOM chief further stated that developing nations will require up to $365 billion annually by 2035 to effectively adapt to climate change. This stands in stark contrast to the public international financing figure, which amounted to only $26 billion in 2023. Pope called for a substantial increase in climate finance, advocating for funds to be directed specifically to communities most vulnerable to disasters. She cautioned that the ongoing disparity between funding needs and available resources is likely to worsen displacement issues in the future.