The Causes and Policy Responses to Forced Migration and Environmental Degradation in Africa

Maystadt, Jean-Francois and Mishra, Ashok and Mueller, Valerie and Smoldt, Matthew (2024) The Causes and Policy Responses to Forced Migration and Environmental Degradation in Africa. Annual Review of Resource Economics, 16. pp. 301-322. ISSN 1941-1340

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Abstract

Forced migration has a complex relationship with the environment. The type of policy responses required to alleviate distress migration and improve the livelihoods of involuntary migrants while preserving the environment for broader society will vary by context. We highlight the need to better identify the related mechanisms underlying forced migration and their practices in receiving areas in an attempt to self-integrate. Implementation of safety net programs has risen. Such programs have the potential to promote migration as a risk management strategy and disincentivize the adoption of poor environmental practices in receiving areas. We discuss how available satellite data combined with machine learning approaches open new opportunities to discover solutions to the migration-related environmental issues of Africa.