Understanding relationships among climate change, conflict, migration/displacement and health in humanitarian settings: a scoping review.

Background: Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of various extreme weather events across regions, globally. Climate change has also been associated with conflict, migration and displacement, and health in complex and multi-causal relationships, particularly in humanitarian settings. This study aimed to better understand linkages and relationships at the nexus of climate change, conflict, migration/displacement, and health in humanitarian settings.

Methods: We searched the academic literature in four databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, GreenFILE) and the grey literature in 18 organizational websites. Titles and abstracts, and full texts from the academic literature were independently screened by two reviewers following PRISMA scoping review guidelines. For the grey literature, a single reviewer screened titles and abstracts and full texts, and extracted data. All extracted data were synthesized by domain.

Results: We included 178 articles in this scoping review, describing four domains: climate change and migration/displacement and health; climate change and conflict and migration/displacement; climate change and conflict and migration/displacement and health; and climate change and conflict and health. Articles most frequently focused on climate change, migration/displacement and health. We identified complex, non-linear, multicausal and interrelated relationships at the nexus of these domains in diverse contexts that informed the development of a conceptual framework of direct and indirect relationships. We found that climate change, conflict, migration/displacement, and health intersect with pre-existing vulnerabilities to further exacerbate risks and vulnerabilities or cause new risks and vulnerabilities at this nexus.

Conclusion: While associations among climate change, conflict, migration/displacement and health are of significant concern, there has been limited examination at this nexus. Findings of this review indicate that research and practice should critically consider and embrace the complex and interrelated ways in which climate change has interrelated and cascading impacts on conflict, migration/displacement and health. Future research can build upon the findings of this review to identify the strength of associations at this nexus and holistic and effective responses. There is a need to adopt integrated and multi-disciplinary approaches to research, programming and policy in humanitarian settings while strengthening climate-resilient health systems.