UN expert calls for action as Marshall Islands faces dual displacement crisis
31 October 2024
GENEVA (UN News) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), Cecilia Jimenez-Damary, today called on the international community to take urgent action to address the dual displacement crisis facing the Marshall Islands, where residents are being forced to flee their homes due to both climate change and nuclear testing.
“The situation in the Marshall Islands is a stark reminder of the devastating human rights consequences of climate change and nuclear testing,” said Ms. Jimenez-Damary. “The international community must take urgent action to support the Marshallese people and ensure that their rights are protected.”
The Marshall Islands is a low-lying archipelago in the Pacific Ocean that is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Rising sea levels are already threatening to inundate many of the islands, and more frequent and intense storms are causing widespread damage.
In addition to the threat of climate change, the Marshall Islands is also facing the legacy of nuclear testing conducted by the United States in the 1940s and 1950s. The tests left behind a toxic legacy of radioactive contamination, which has had a devastating impact on the health and livelihoods of the Marshallese people.
As a result of these dual threats, many Marshallese people are being forced to flee their homes. Some are moving to other islands within the Marshall Islands, while others are seeking refuge in other countries.
Ms. Jimenez-Damary said that the displacement of the Marshallese people is a violation of their human rights. “The right to housing is a fundamental human right,” she said. “The Marshallese people have the right to live in a safe and healthy environment, and they should not be forced to flee their homes because of climate change or nuclear testing.”
The Special Rapporteur called on the international community to take urgent action to address the dual displacement crisis facing the Marshall Islands. She urged States to provide financial and technical assistance to the Marshall Islands, and to help resettle Marshallese people who are fleeing their homes.
“The international community has a responsibility to protect the Marshallese people and ensure that their rights are respected,” said Ms. Jimenez-Damary. “We must not turn a blind eye to their suffering.”
Background
The Marshall Islands is a group of 29 atolls and five islands in the Pacific Ocean. It has a population of about 53,000 people.
The Marshall Islands was a United States territory from 1947 to 1986. During that time, the United States conducted 67 nuclear tests on the Marshall Islands. The tests left behind a toxic legacy of radioactive contamination.
The Marshall Islands became independent in 1986. However, the country continues to face the legacy of nuclear testing. The Marshallese people suffer from high rates of cancer and other health problems. They also face economic challenges, as the country is heavily dependent on foreign aid.
Climate change is another major threat to the Marshall Islands. The country is already experiencing sea level rise and more frequent and intense storms. These events are causing widespread damage and displacement.
The Marshall Islands is a party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. The country is also a member of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF).
UN expert calls for action as Marshall Islands faces dual displacement crisis
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