ECONOMIC MIGRANTS AND RURAL TO URBAN MIGRATION The SADC region has experienced a significant rise in mixed and irregular migration flows. These flows (as shown in map below) mostly originate from the Horn of Africa, particularly Ethiopia and Somalia, and consist of refugees, asylum seekers, economic migrants, unaccompanied migrant children and victims of trafficking, including women and children. Insecurity, lack of economic livelihood, drought and crop failure are some of the factors that push migrants to undertake the risky migratory routes for better opportunities. Sub Saharan Migration Routes Migration, particularly rural-to-urban, is expected to increase due to the drought as people search for alternative livelihoods, in a context where many urban areas do not have the capacity to sustain increased flows of people. As a result of increased rural-urban migration flows, urban centres are under increasing pressure to expand, placing increased stress on urban areas often already struggling to provide sufficient public services. Attacks on foreign nationals have been observed in recent years and increased markedly in 2007. The Source: SADC, IOM potential increase in migrants associated with the drought poses a risk to the social cohesion within the recipient countries. In the medium to long term, unplanned urbanization is likely to accelerate the land degradation process and encourage the proliferation of flimsy settlements within urban centres. For example, latecomers are increasingly settling down in hazard-prone areas where buildings are not designed to withstand climate extremes, ultimately increasing the number of households vulnerable to climate hazards. RECOMMENDATIONS The following policy areas of support are recommended: • Governments should strengthen municipalities through financial resources to support adaptation for migrants. • Government should develop adequate legal frameworks to support people displaced by the impact of climate related disasters. 27