In 30 years .. 140 million immigrants because of the deterioration of the state of the land

Hisham Boumjout

In a new report on land degradation and migration, prepared by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), land degradation across the world - particularly Africa and Asia - will drive millions of people to migrate in search of work and livelihoods.

The report pointed out that forced migration resulting from land degradation or desertification will increase in the future, if the necessary measures are not taken to stop it, noting that in 2017 alone the migration of about 13.1 million for the same reason.

“Migrations related to desertification, land degradation and drought are not a problem in the future,” said Maryam Traore, IOM Policy Officer, at the presentation session of this report on 6 September in New Delhi, on the sidelines of the 14th Global Symposium on the Convention to Combat Desertification and Land Degradation. This is our current reality, if we cannot take immediate action, otherwise the world will face a major crisis. "

The experts explained that there are two types of migration: one that occurs within one country from rural areas to cities, and the second that occurs from one country to another, and the latter has negative economic consequences for the countries receiving migrants or countries of origin.

140 million Africans and Asians
According to the report, international projections indicate that about 140 million people from African and Asian countries are expected to migrate by 2050.

The report published the content of a survey prepared by the General Secretariat of the Convention to Combat Desertification and Land Degradation in Morocco, which was aimed at about a thousand Moroccans who had to migrate from rural areas to major cities, and was aimed at identifying the causes of internal migration and the interlocking of various factors with each other.

Drought and land degradation caused 21.4% of the population to migrate, while water shortages (14.2%), lack of agricultural crops (14.5%), floods (17.3%) and other less influential factors, such as the desire to live in major cities.

Initiatives to solve
The report also reviewed some initiatives that will contribute to reducing this phenomenon, most notably the 'Sustainability, Security and Stability' initiative launched in 2018 by 14 African countries, which mainly aims to reclaim about 10 million hectares of land, in a process It will create about 2 million jobs by 2025.

The arid and desert lands in Africa have a lot of possibilities, if they are rehabilitated and given more attention by decision-makers and supported by a good system of scientific research, said Ibrahim Mouhoush of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Algeria.

For example, in the recent years, Algeria's desert lands are serious with significant agricultural crops, said Ibrahim Mouhouch, a candidate for the future to create tens of thousands of jobs and support the national economy if water shortages are addressed.

He explained in a statement to the island that "desert agriculture in Algeria and all the deserts of the world promising the availability of water, and there are several successful experiences in Algeria and abroad for desert agriculture, and it needs only real investment in order to provide the conditions of success, which is headed by water."