Human mobility in response to rainfall variability: Opportunities for migration as a successful adaptation strategy in eight case studies

Afifi, Tamer, Milan, Andrea, Etzold, Benjamin, Schraven, Benjamin, Rademacher-Schulz, Christina, Sakdapolrak, Patrick, Reif, Alexander, van der Geest, Kees and Warner, Koko, (2015). Human mobility in response to rainfall variability: Opportunities for migration as a successful adaptation strategy in eight case studies. Migration and Development, 5(2), 254-274

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  • Sub-type Journal article
    Author Afifi, Tamer
    Milan, Andrea
    Etzold, Benjamin
    Schraven, Benjamin
    Rademacher-Schulz, Christina
    Sakdapolrak, Patrick
    Reif, Alexander
    van der Geest, Kees
    Warner, Koko
    Title Human mobility in response to rainfall variability: Opportunities for migration as a successful adaptation strategy in eight case studies
    Appearing in Migration and Development
    Volume 5
    Issue No. 2
    Publication Date 2015-05-05
    Place of Publication Oxford
    Publisher Routledge, Taylor and Francis
    Start page 254
    End page 274
    Language eng
    Abstract This article analyses the dynamics between rainfall variability, food insecurity and human mobility in eight case studies, namely Ghana, Tanzania, Guatemala, Peru, Bangladesh, India, Thailand and Vietnam. It covers a large spectrum of rainfall-related climatic events, including floods, drought, seasonal shifts and dry spells, and their impact on food insecurity and in turn on human mobility in approximately 1300 households in the eight case studies. It also summarizes the outcomes of focus group discussions and participatory research approach sessions held with communities in the villages that are affected by rainfall variability. The article compares the outcomes of the case studies and identifies the similarities and areas of overlap. It concludes that for some households – regardless of the case study – there is high potential for migration to be a successful adaptation strategy. Some other households rather find it hard to adapt to the situation in situ; among them, some cannot afford moving to other areas to improve their livelihoods and remain ‘trapped’ while others do move, but barely survive or are even subject to worse conditions. The article provides policy recommendations for policy-makers and practitioners that might be applicable for these, and also other countries exposed to the same climatic issues. Finally, the article provides an outlook with lessons learned for the benefit of future research.
    Keyword Food security
    Rainfall variability
    Human mobility
    Copyright Holder Taylor & Francis
    Copyright Year 2015
    Copyright type All rights reserved
    DOI 10.1080/21632324.2015.1022974
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    Created: Tue, 25 Aug 2015, 18:31:41 JST