Insights into different facets of the refugee crises–environment nexus

The manifestations of the environment combine with societal circumstances that force people to flee their own countries and in this way accelerate refugee emergencies. Environmental factors are also important determinants of the survival of refugees in host countries. At times, humanitarian and developmental goals contradict each other in the context of refugee emergencies, and often environmental sustainability is compromised. The present review aims to develop an understanding of the interlinkage of the environment with different stages and consequences of refugee crises. While doing so, it does not focus on circumstances under which people leave their countries only because of environmental problems. The objectives of the review are to understand the impacts of the environment on the refugee crisis, problems triggered by socio-environmental factors as well as the interaction between the refugee crisis and climate change. The objectives have been fulfilled by discussing refugee crises in Syria, Nigeria, Myanmar South Sudan, and Somalia based on published literature. It was found that refugee crises represent a complex web in which social, political, and economic aspects of the society are closely linked with environmental factors. Steps taken to address refugee crises in host countries should always take environmental factors into consideration.