This study aims to assess the vulnerability of internally displaced persons (IDPs) communities in the Philippines to climate change and presents practical response strategies and project models that strengthen resilience. Climate change results in gradual or abrupt environmental changes and the consequent deterioration of livelihoods and housing instability serve as catalysts for internal migration. Recent domestic migration driven by recurrent climate change is not merely an environmental concern; it encompasses intricate challenges related to economic, social, and institutional vulnerabilities, jeopardizing the stability of migrants’ lives post-settlement. The Philippines, due to its geopolitical characteristics, undergoes a high incidence of climate change-induced catastrophes, leading to a growing and persistent rise in the number of internally displaced individuals (IDPs). This study focuses on Tacloban, a region exemplifying abrupt climate disaster in the Philippines, and Batangas, an area experiencing gradual climate disaster, as research subjects. Our objective was to examine the multifaceted vulnerabilities of resettlement communities for internally displaced individuals (IDPs) and to create methods to bolster community resilience.
The research was comprehensively conducted utilizing literature analysis, GIS-based spatial analysis, household surveys, and diverse qualitative methodologies. This study aims to deliver a comprehensive understanding of the integrated living conditions, vulnerabilities, and social adaptation processes of domestic migrants affected by climate change in the Philippines by employing a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies through field surveys.
The research findings founded that households displaced by climate change are collectively experiencing serious difficulties, including livelihood instability (income reduction, elevated unemployment rates, employment insecurity), health vulnerability (insufficient medical services, increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, mental health issues), social exclusion (disruption of community networks, lack of support from governmental and non-governmental organizations), housing instability (deficient settlement infrastructure, precariousness of temporary housing), and inadequate disaster preparedness (insufficient disaster warning systems, absence of disaster prevention policies).
Based on these research findings, this study proposes three key project models to enhance the resilience of climate change-induced internally displaced persons (IDPs) communities in the Philippines. First, it aims to improve physical resilience by building climate-adaptive infrastructure within the community. Specific implementation measures include ▲improving flood preparedness infrastructure, ▲establishing drinking water and sanitation management infrastructure, ▲constructing climate-adaptive housing and evacuation infrastructure, and ▲building eco-friendly heat-reducing infrastructure. Second, it seeks to secure local-level autonomy by strengthening the capacities of local governments and communities. This includes ▲supporting capacity-building programs for government officials, ▲providing information and communication channels for the community, and ▲developing community-led joint policies. Lastly, it aims to strengthen long-term social resilience through support for future generations and the operation of social integration programs. Key activities proposed include ▲operating education and health support programs for migrant children and adolescents, ▲expanding mental health support services for psychological recovery, ▲enhancing climate adaptation and disaster response capabilities, and ▲providing vocational training and technical support.
This study also proposes three policy strategies to enhance practical and sustainable resilience at the community level, beyond the individual household level. First, to alleviate the livelihood issues underlying all vulnerabilities of climate migrants, it is essential to create quality jobs and establish sustainable income sources, while also building a self-sustaining system that links livelihood training provided by government and private entities to continuous income generation. Second, as it has been confirmed that domestic migrants who have experienced relocation due to various forms of climate disasters in the past are still continuously exposed to new climate disasters even after resettlement, systematic disaster response strategies considering long-term climate change projections and response measures and training reflecting the characteristics and contexts of the migrants should be established. Third, while improving access to government-provided support programs for domestic migrants, it is crucial to ensure migrant participation in the policy formation and implementation process so that effective policies reflecting the actual demands arising at each stage of disaster-migration-settlement can be established.
This study offers an in-depth analysis of internally displaced communities affected by climate disasters, presenting actionable policy implications applicable in the Philippines and other countries that are facing similar migration issues due to climate change. In addition to offering crucial evidence for developing resilience-enhancing strategies tailored to specific geographic areas in response to the climate crisis, this will help establish and implement domestic migrant support policies in cooperation with the Philippine government and international organizations. Future research must investigate the enduring socio-economic transformations faced by migrants as a result of climate change, the dynamics between migrants and host communities, the formulation of climate change response models tailored to regional contexts, and the possibilities for establishing collaborative frameworks with governmental and international entities.
The research was comprehensively conducted utilizing literature analysis, GIS-based spatial analysis, household surveys, and diverse qualitative methodologies. This study aims to deliver a comprehensive understanding of the integrated living conditions, vulnerabilities, and social adaptation processes of domestic migrants affected by climate change in the Philippines by employing a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies through field surveys.
The research findings founded that households displaced by climate change are collectively experiencing serious difficulties, including livelihood instability (income reduction, elevated unemployment rates, employment insecurity), health vulnerability (insufficient medical services, increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, mental health issues), social exclusion (disruption of community networks, lack of support from governmental and non-governmental organizations), housing instability (deficient settlement infrastructure, precariousness of temporary housing), and inadequate disaster preparedness (insufficient disaster warning systems, absence of disaster prevention policies).
Based on these research findings, this study proposes three key project models to enhance the resilience of climate change-induced internally displaced persons (IDPs) communities in the Philippines. First, it aims to improve physical resilience by building climate-adaptive infrastructure within the community. Specific implementation measures include ▲improving flood preparedness infrastructure, ▲establishing drinking water and sanitation management infrastructure, ▲constructing climate-adaptive housing and evacuation infrastructure, and ▲building eco-friendly heat-reducing infrastructure. Second, it seeks to secure local-level autonomy by strengthening the capacities of local governments and communities. This includes ▲supporting capacity-building programs for government officials, ▲providing information and communication channels for the community, and ▲developing community-led joint policies. Lastly, it aims to strengthen long-term social resilience through support for future generations and the operation of social integration programs. Key activities proposed include ▲operating education and health support programs for migrant children and adolescents, ▲expanding mental health support services for psychological recovery, ▲enhancing climate adaptation and disaster response capabilities, and ▲providing vocational training and technical support.
This study also proposes three policy strategies to enhance practical and sustainable resilience at the community level, beyond the individual household level. First, to alleviate the livelihood issues underlying all vulnerabilities of climate migrants, it is essential to create quality jobs and establish sustainable income sources, while also building a self-sustaining system that links livelihood training provided by government and private entities to continuous income generation. Second, as it has been confirmed that domestic migrants who have experienced relocation due to various forms of climate disasters in the past are still continuously exposed to new climate disasters even after resettlement, systematic disaster response strategies considering long-term climate change projections and response measures and training reflecting the characteristics and contexts of the migrants should be established. Third, while improving access to government-provided support programs for domestic migrants, it is crucial to ensure migrant participation in the policy formation and implementation process so that effective policies reflecting the actual demands arising at each stage of disaster-migration-settlement can be established.
This study offers an in-depth analysis of internally displaced communities affected by climate disasters, presenting actionable policy implications applicable in the Philippines and other countries that are facing similar migration issues due to climate change. In addition to offering crucial evidence for developing resilience-enhancing strategies tailored to specific geographic areas in response to the climate crisis, this will help establish and implement domestic migrant support policies in cooperation with the Philippine government and international organizations. Future research must investigate the enduring socio-economic transformations faced by migrants as a result of climate change, the dynamics between migrants and host communities, the formulation of climate change response models tailored to regional contexts, and the possibilities for establishing collaborative frameworks with governmental and international entities.