ABSTRACT
Climate change-related disasters such as droughts, floods, and landslides are the most frequent disasters in the Eastern African region. The disasters lead to the displacement of thousands of people, both cross-border migrants and internally displaced persons (IDPs). By a document analysis technique of qualitative research, this chapter examined the legal responses towards climate-induced displacement in the Eastern African region countries. Especially the study countries Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, and Somalia have over time experienced climate change-induced displacements in addition to conflict-related migration. An analysis of the categories of climate refugees, policy, and legal documents at the international, regional, and national levels was made. The chapter establishes that climate change refugees or environmental migrants is neither specifically nor comprehensively provided at the international and regional levels. At the national level, some countries in the Eastern Africa region have enacted laws on disaster risk management that are relevant to deal with climate change induced human displacement while others have related policies with no independent law. Given the growing trend in the displacement of people due to climate change in the region, it is crucial to strengthen and standardise response laws.
