The European Union, together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), officially launched the Regional Responses to Climate Displacement in Sub-Saharan Africa (RE2CLID) Programme in Malawi on 15 June 2026, during a high-level kick-off meeting in Lilongwe. The programme aims to shift from reactive crisis response to anticipatory, risk-informed action, strengthening the ability of governments and communities to prevent and minimize climate-induced displacement.
Funded by the EU and implemented by IOM in partnership with governments and stakeholders across the region, RE2CLID focuses on the Southern Africa and South-West Indian Ocean (SAIO) cluster, comprising Malawi (lead), Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles. This region is designated a climate hotspot, facing increasingly frequent cyclones, floods, and droughts. In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, 17.3 million internal displacements were recorded in 2025, including 2.9 million linked to disasters. The 2024–2025 cyclone season triggered more than 826,000 displacement movements across Southern Africa.
The programme is implemented in close collaboration with national and sub-national authorities, including key ministries, district councils, and local leaders, as well as regional bodies such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC). It also engages international and civil society partners to ensure coordinated, inclusive, and locally grounded responses.
Speaking at the launch, EU Ambassador to Malawi H.E. Daniel Aristi Gaztelumendi said the programme is part of the Team Europe Initiative on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in Africa and a cornerstone of the EU's Global Gateway engagement with the continent. "It translates the shared commitments of the 6th EU–AU Summit and the Paris Agreement into tangible, cross-border action," he said.
IOM Chief of Mission to Malawi Ms. Fatma Said emphasized the need to bridge the gap between climate planning and displacement: "Through RE2CLID, we have an opportunity to bridge that gap. By strengthening data, forecasting and preparedness systems, and by integrating displacement considerations into climate adaptation and disaster risk management efforts, we can equip communities and institutions with the information they need to anticipate risks."
The Guest of Honour, Malawi's Minister of Natural Resources Honourable Patricia Wiskes, MP, underscored the government's commitment, noting that the programme aligns with national strategies such as the Malawi 2063 development blueprint, the National Resilience Strategy (2018–2030), and the National Disaster Risk Management Policy (2025).
A community representative from Mangochi, Modester Stoken, shared firsthand experiences of climate-related shocks, describing floods on 18 March 2026 that destroyed homes and forced displacement. "We call on the government and partners not to leave us behind," she said.
The programme promotes regional cooperation, recognizing that climate displacement often transcends national borders. Through strengthened coordination and knowledge-sharing, RE2CLID will support harmonised approaches and joint responses to shared risks across participating countries. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation by the Government of Malawi, IOM, and the EU of their shared commitment to advancing coordinated, forward-looking approaches to climate displacement.
The programme directly benefits vulnerable communities in the SAIO region by providing support for rebuilding and resilience. National authorities gain strengthened data and preparedness systems, while regional bodies like SADC and IOC benefit from harmonised approaches. The EU and IOM enhance their climate adaptation portfolio, though the programme's success depends on sustained funding and coordination across multiple countries.