1237 | 146 | Forced Migration in the Northern Triangle of Central America: Identifying Environmental Refugees

Climate change has led to various impacts on society and nature, including desertification, flooding, glacier melting, and the intensification of extreme weather events. The intensification of climate change has particularly affected regions and countries with greater socio-economic inequalities, resulting in vulnerability to environmental disasters. Climate change has also resulted in the migration of people forced to leave their homes due to disasters or environmental deterioration, leading to the emergence of “environmental refugees”. This article discusses the main factors that have led to forced migration processes in the Northern Triangle of Central America between 2018 and 2022, such as poverty, economic crises, violence, and environmental disasters. The Northern Triangle of Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) is one of the most unequal, violent, and vulnerable regions to the impacts of climate change in Latin America, making it a crucial region to study. The article analyzes data on internal and external displacement due to economic, violence, and environmental issues, utilizing reports from international organizations and journalistic coverage of disasters and displacement. While poverty and violence are the main migration factors for Central Americans who migrate through Mexico to reach the United States, environmental disasters such as droughts and sea-level rise have also influenced the increase of migration flows. The article highlights the possibility of environmental disasters being the catalyst for forced migrations, demonstrating the interconnection of migration factors. By identifying potential environmental refugees in Northern Triangle of Central American migration flows, this article aims to raise awareness of the issue and contribute to the development of policies that address the challenges faced by vulnerable populations.

Victor Cabral Ribeiro
Instituto de Relações Internacionais / Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

ID Abstract: 146