The rising number of people who are compelled to migrate within and outside their countries in connection with the impacts of climate change, disasters, and environmental degradation is a concerning global issue. Addressing this pressing issue requires a variety of responses that prevent their displacement, safeguard their rights before, during, and after displacement, and facilitate conditions that enable them to attain durable solutions.

Through research, capacity building, and advocacy, the Migrants' Rights Unit endeavors to promote rights-based responses. As part of these efforts, the Centre for Human Rights, in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Southern Africa Bureau (UNHCR-RBSA), has embarked on a research project on the application of the OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa (OAU Refugee Convention) to cross-border displacements in the context of climate change, disasters, and environmental degradation in Africa.

This research project seeks to explore the applicability of the OAU Refugee Convention for the protection of refugees whose displacement is linked to the adverse impacts of climate change, disasters, and environmental degradation in Africa, and to inform legal and policy responses through evidence-based recommendations.