IOM-Microsoft Partnership - Climate Action Workstream

In September 2023, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Microsoft initiated a partnership to harness data and technology in responding to climate-induced human mobility challenges across four dedicated workstreams. This collaboration leverages Microsoft's AI expertise and IOM's on-the-ground operational footprint, human mobility knowledge and Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) data to develop scalable solutions to support at-risk communities.

Under the Climate Action Workstream, IOM joined the Microsoft AI for Good Lab in developing three country-level pilot projects, combining AI expertise with local, on-the-ground knowledge to help identify effective ways to support communities facing climate-related risks. 

This collaboration leverages AI models trained on satellite data, climate projections, and IOM data to identify communities at risk, advancing the goal of averting, minimizing and addressing the impacts of climate change on these communities and enhancing their resilience. 

By integrating these advanced technologies with local insights, IOM and Microsoft aim to develop proactive strategies that can be scaled and implemented globally.

The results have been integrated into the upcoming Climate Action Portal in the format of interactive maps, as well as accompanying comprehensive reports for each country. See some key results below:

Key findings:

Ethiopia: Communities at Risk of Flooding in Ethiopia

The partnership mapped flood-vulnerable communities using AI analysis of satellite imagery, population data, cropland maps, and IOM office locations. 

The study identifies where an estimated 700,000 people and 1.5% of Ethiopia's croplands are at risk, and the modalities of support that would be most effective in aiding these communities.

In the southeastern region near Somalia, 9% of the population living along the Shabelle River is situated in flood-prone areas, significantly exceeding the national average of 0.5%. 
This data will assist IOM in evolving their preparation and planning strategies to better support displaced populations during future flooding events.

Libya: Heat Risk Along Migration Routes in Libya

The partnership mapped how extreme heat affects migrant journeys across Libya, revealing that climate change could dramatically increase risks.

The study shows that areas with dangerous heat levels could expand from 8% to 72% of the total length of the mapped migration routes under a global 2°C warming scenario.

Many migrants, fleeing conflict in South Sudan, traverse these routes, and their health risks are significantly heightened by this projected increase. 

Maldives: Identifying Vulnerable Communities and Safe Islands in the Maldives

The partnership combined AI population analysis with climate projections to identify 9,000 people in the Maldives at risk from sea level rise by 2050, with some islands experiencing over 70% of their populations at risk. 

The analysis includes layers showing population changes from 2018 to 2023, highlighting new settlements in risk areas and mapping safe islands for potential relocation.

The identification of five islands likely to remain safe from sea-level rise can inform policy and preparation discussions for proactive migration proposals with the Maldivian government.
 

Read the full reports below.