The Growing Intersection of Displacement and Coastal Vulnerability

Refugee camps located near coastal areas represent a convergence of two of the most pressing global challenges: forced displacement and climate change. While humanitarian responses have traditionally focused on landlocked encampments or border crossings, an increasing number of the world’s displaced populations are settling in coastal zones. These environments present a unique set of operational difficulties—ranging from extreme weather vulnerability to complex logistical constraints—but they also offer distinct strategic opportunities for sustainable aid delivery, livelihood generation, and regional cooperation.

Understanding the specific dynamics of these coastal settlements is essential for humanitarian organizations, policymakers, and host governments. The proximity to international shipping lanes, marine resources, and often contested borders creates a landscape where traditional camp management models fall short. This article examines the dual nature of these settlements, outlining the critical environmental and infrastructural challenges while exploring the untapped potential for resilience-focused innovation. By addressing these factors head-on, responders can transform some of the world’s most vulnerable refugee camps into models of adaptive, climate-smart humanitarian action.

The Scale of the Crisis: Why Coastal Zones Matter

The concentration of refugee camps in coastal areas is not accidental. Many conflicts and humanitarian crises occur in regions with extensive coastlines, such as the Mediterranean basin, the Horn of Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Displaced populations often move toward the coast in search of international escape routes, access to urban centers, or because inland areas are themselves unstable or environmentally degraded.

Global Hotspots and Growing Numbers

The Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, is the largest and most densely populated refugee camp in the world, hosting nearly one million Rohingya refugees. Situated just kilometers from the Bay of Bengal, the camp sits directly in the path of seasonal cyclones and monsoon rains. Similarly, in the Lake Chad basin—though technically a large inland water body—the dynamics of coastal displacement are mirrored, with shrinking water resources and climate shocks driving displacement. Along the Mediterranean, refugees and migrants frequently find themselves in coastal settlements in Greece, Italy, Libya, and Tunisia, facing precarious conditions near international shipping routes.

According to data from the UNHCR and the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), tens of millions of displaced people currently live in low-lying or coastal areas that are highly exposed to climate-related hazards. This trend is expected to accelerate as climate change intensifies extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and resource scarcity. The convergence of displacement and coastal vulnerability is no longer a peripheral issue but a central feature of modern humanitarian emergencies.

The Climate Displacement Nexus

Coastal zones are on the frontlines of climate change. Rising sea levels, more intense tropical storms, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers directly threaten the viability of refugee camps in these areas. For camp managers, this means that the standard humanitarian response cycle must be adapted to account for chronic environmental stressors and acute disaster risks. The traditional notion of a temporary, safe haven is challenged by the reality that the ground itself is shifting, flooding, or eroding. This necessitates a fundamental rethinking of site selection, shelter design, and long-term planning for refugee camps near coastal areas.

Critical Environmental Challenges in Coastal Camps

The environmental conditions in coastal zones create a distinct set of risks that differ markedly from inland camps. These risks require specialized technical expertise and significant investment to mitigate.

Extreme Weather and Hydrological Hazards

Coastal refugee camps are disproportionately exposed to cyclones, storm surges, and flash flooding. In Cox’s Bazar, for example, the 2023 monsoon season destroyed thousands of shelters and triggered landslides that killed and displaced refugees. The combination of deforested hillsides, densely packed tarpaulin and bamboo shelters, and heavy rainfall creates a near-certainty of disaster during each storm season. Early warning systems must be tailored to camp layouts, and evacuation plans must involve refugees themselves to be effective.

Flooding poses not only a direct threat to life and property but also creates secondary health crises. Stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, increasing the transmission of dengue fever, malaria, and chikungunya. Waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid spike when latrines overflow into living areas. These cyclical health emergencies strain already overstretched medical facilities and require constant vigilance from health actors.

Water Scarcity and Salinization

Access to clean water is a universal humanitarian priority, but in coastal camps it becomes exceptionally complex. Saltwater intrusion into groundwater aquifers is a natural process in coastal areas, but it is exacerbated by over-extraction for large populations. In Cox’s Bazar, drilling deep tube wells often yields saline water, forcing engineers to explore alternative water sources such as reverse osmosis plants, rainwater harvesting, or surface water treatment. These systems are expensive to install and maintain, requiring a consistent supply of fuel, spare parts, and technical expertise that is often scarce in remote coastal settings.

The water that is available must be carefully managed to prevent conflicts between refugees and host communities. Competition for freshwater can erode social cohesion and create protection risks, especially for women and girls who are primarily responsible for water collection. Ensuring adequate water supply for drinking, cooking, and hygiene is one of the most resource-intensive demands of operating a coastal refugee camp.

Ecosystem Degradation and Environmental Impact

The sudden influx of large populations into coastal ecosystems often results in deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution. In Bangladesh, the Rohingya refugee presence has placed immense pressure on the protected forests of the Ukhia and Teknaf regions. Trees harvested for shelter construction and firewood have stripped hillsides of their natural vegetation, accelerating landslides during rains. Mangrove forests, which serve as critical natural barriers against storm surges, have also been degraded in some areas.

Humanitarian actors are increasingly turning to nature-based solutions to address these issues. Reforestation projects using fast-growing, native species can stabilize slopes. Mangrove restoration along coastlines provides both storm protection and carbon sequestration. Refugee-led environmental initiatives are growing, with many displaced individuals bringing skills in agroforestry, nursery management, and sustainable land management. These programs not only improve camp conditions but also provide meaningful livelihood opportunities.

Logistical and Infrastructural Bottlenecks

Operating a refugee camp in a coastal area requires overcoming significant logistical hurdles. The same features that make coastal zones accessible by sea often make them difficult to navigate by land.

Supply Chain and Transportation Fragility

Many coastal camps are located in remote areas with poor road infrastructure. Monsoon rains can render dirt roads impassable for weeks, cutting off camps from essential supplies. Alternative access by sea is possible in some locations, but relies on the availability of suitable ports, boats, and safe berthing areas. The cost of moving goods into coastal camps is frequently higher than for inland camps due to the need for specialized vehicles, barge operations, or airlifts during emergencies.

Fuel supply is a particular vulnerability. Generators are often the primary source of electricity for water pumps, health centers, and lighting. If road access is cut off, fuel shortages can cripple camp operations within days. Building buffer stocks and diversifying energy sources with solar and wind are critical strategies for ensuring continuity of services. Some camps are now integrating solar micro-grids to reduce dependence on diesel, a shift that improves both resilience and environmental sustainability.

Shelter and Settlement Planning for Coastal Resilience

Standard humanitarian shelter kits—typically composed of bamboo, tarpaulin, and rope—are inadequate for the high winds and heavy rains common in coastal zones. Shelters must be reinforced, elevated on plinths to avoid flooding, and secured with stronger anchoring systems. Site planning must include drainage channels, retention ponds, and raised platforms for communal facilities such as schools and health posts.

Land tenure is another major issue. Coastal land is often contested, with competing claims from host communities, private owners, and conservation areas. Refugee camps are sometimes built on marginal or hazard-prone land precisely because it is the only land available. This places refugees in a state of permanent insecurity, both physically and legally. Durable solutions require engaging with national and local governments to secure tenure arrangements that allow for investment in permanent or semi-permanent infrastructure.

WASH in High-Water-Table Environments

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programming in coastal camps is technically demanding. Standard pit latrines cannot be dug below the water table, as they will flood and contaminate groundwater. Instead, WASH actors must use raised latrines with sealed tanks, composting toilets, or container-based sanitation systems that require regular emptying and waste treatment. Solid waste management is similarly challenging, as landfills are difficult to site in low-lying areas and flooding can spread garbage across the camp.

The cost of constructing and maintaining flood-resilient WASH infrastructure is significantly higher than standard models. Capacity for fecal sludge management must be built into camp budgets from the outset. Innovative solutions, such as urine-diverting dry toilets or decentralized wastewater treatment plants, are being piloted in coastal camp settings and offer lessons for future responses.

Protection and Socioeconomic Vulnerabilities

The coastal environment creates specific protection risks for refugees, particularly women, children, and other vulnerable groups. The intersection of displacement, environmental hazard, and restricted mobility requires dedicated protection strategies.

Livelihoods and Economic Exclusion

Refugees in coastal camps often face severe restrictions on their right to work and freedom of movement. This pushes them into informal and dangerous economic activities. Fishing, for example, is a common livelihood in coastal areas, but refugees who venture out to sea may face interception by coast guards, detention, or even death. Without legal documentation, they are vulnerable to exploitation by fishing boat owners and middlemen.

In some contexts, refugees are able to engage in small-scale trade, aquaculture, or handicraft production. Supporting these activities through skills training, microfinance, and market access can improve self-reliance and reduce dependency on aid. Integrating refugee economic activities with those of host communities can reduce tensions and build social cohesion. Programs that support sustainable livelihoods in the blue economy—such as fish processing, net making, or mangrove eco-tourism—offer promising avenues for dignified work.

Gender-Based Violence and Child Protection

Inadequate lighting in camp common areas and pathways increases the risk of gender-based violence (GBV). Remote coastal camps may have fewer security patrols and less access to police or justice services. Shelters in cyclone-prone areas are often poorly lit and insecure, forcing women and girls to choose between privacy and safety. Protection actors must ensure that all infrastructure projects include lighting, secure lockable doors, and safe communal spaces.

Children in coastal camps face unique risks, including separation during storm evacuations, exposure to contaminated water, and interruption of education when schools are damaged by weather. Child-friendly spaces must be designed to withstand storms and be integrated into evacuation planning. Trafficking risks increase when livelihoods collapse after a disaster, as families may resort to negative coping mechanisms. A strong protection framework is essential for maintaining the safety and dignity of the displaced population.

Strategic Opportunities for Humanitarian and Development Actors

Despite the considerable challenges, refugee camps located near coastal areas are not just sites of vulnerability. They are also spaces where innovative, integrated approaches can deliver outsized impacts for both refugees and host communities.

Leveraging the Blue Economy for Self-Reliance

The proximity of these camps to marine resources opens the door to sustainable livelihood programs focused on the blue economy. Aquaculture—the farming of fish, shellfish, and seaweed—can provide high-nutrient food and income with a relatively small environmental footprint. Seaweed farming, in particular, requires minimal investment and can be done by women and older refugees in near-shore areas. It also helps absorb excess nutrients in coastal waters and provides habitat for fish.

Mangrove restoration is another blue economy intervention with multiple benefits. Mangroves act as natural coastal defenses, absorbing storm surge energy and preventing erosion. They sequester significant amounts of carbon, potentially generating carbon credits that can fund further restoration. Refugee and host community teams working together on mangrove nurseries and planting create economic opportunities while building social bonds. These projects demonstrate how environmental restoration and humanitarian assistance can be mutually reinforcing.

Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and Green Technology

Coastal refugee camps can serve as testing grounds for climate-resilient infrastructure that meets high standards of sustainability. Solar photovoltaic systems installed on shelter roofs can power lights, phone charging, and small appliances. Solar-powered water pumps and treatment systems reduce reliance on diesel and are more resilient to fuel supply disruptions. Energy-efficient cookstoves reduce the demand for firewood, decreasing deforestation and improving indoor air quality.

Shelter designs that incorporate elevation, wind bracing, and modular components are now being tested in Bangladesh and other coastal settings. These shelters last longer than standard emergency tarpaulins and provide a safer living environment. The lessons learned from these pilot projects can inform both humanitarian standards and national building codes for climate-affected areas. Investing in better shelter now saves money on repeated emergency repairs and reconstruction.

Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing

Coastal camps are often located near international borders or major shipping routes. This creates potential for regional cooperation on issues such as search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and environmental management. While political tensions can complicate these discussions, there are also opportunities for technical cooperation on shared challenges. For example, countries bordering the Bay of Bengal could collaborate on cyclone early warning systems that include refugee camps.

International organizations and NGOs can facilitate platforms for knowledge sharing among camp managers, government officials, and researchers. Innovations developed in one coastal camp are frequently transferable to others facing similar conditions. By treating these camps as nodes in a global network of climate-adaptive humanitarian practice, the sector can accelerate the adoption of effective solutions.

Key Considerations for Policymakers and Practitioners

Addressing the challenges and opportunities of refugee camps near coastal areas requires a shift from reactive emergency response to proactive, resilience-focused programming. Several key considerations should guide this transition.

Localization and Community Engagement

Refugees themselves must be at the center of planning, decision-making, and implementation. They possess intimate knowledge of their environment, their capacities, and their needs. Community-led risk assessments, participatory mapping, and refugee committees are essential tools for understanding the specific dynamics of coastal life. Localization—channeling funding and decision-making power to local and national actors—is equally important, as local organizations are often first responders in disasters and have deep roots in the community.

Meaningful engagement requires investment in communication, feedback mechanisms, and representation. Refugees should be involved in shelter design, WASH committee management, and the implementation of livelihood programs. Their agency is not a resource to be extracted but a right to be supported. Programs that treat refugees as passive recipients of aid consistently underperform compared to those that respect and build on their capabilities.

Financing for Resilience and Preparedness

Humanitarian funding is overwhelmingly allocated to emergency response, with much less available for preparedness, risk reduction, and resilience building. This imbalance is particularly damaging in coastal settings, where predictable seasonal hazards require proactive investment. Climate finance—from sources such as the Green Climate Fund and bilateral climate programs—can be mobilized to support adaptation in refugee-hosting areas, but this requires advocacy and project development capacity that is often lacking in the humanitarian sector.

Donors and agencies should explore multi-year funding agreements that allow for sustained investment in infrastructure, livelihoods, and environmental management. Pooled funds and flexible financing mechanisms enable camps to respond to sudden shocks without disrupting ongoing programs. Investing in risk reduction is not only more humane but also more cost-effective, reducing the long-term burden of repeated emergency appeals.

Durable Solutions and Long-Term Vision

Finally, it is essential to recognize that many coastal refugee camps exist for decades. Planning must account for the long-term presence of displaced populations and the integration of camp infrastructure with surrounding host communities. Urban planning principles—such as land-use zoning, transportation networks, and service corridors—are relevant to large camp settings. Schools, health centers, and markets built to higher standards can serve both refugees and locals, creating a positive legacy even if the camp eventually closes.

Environmental remediation should be part of the camp lifecycle, from site selection through to eventual decommissioning. Reforestation, soil conservation, and waste management programs started early will pay dividends when the camp is no longer needed. The goal should be to leave the coastal environment in a better condition than it was found, turning a humanitarian intervention into a net positive for the region.

Conclusion

Refugee camps near coastal areas are on the front lines of the intersecting crises of displacement and climate change. They face acute environmental hazards, complex logistical obstacles, and specific protection risks. Yet within these same constraints lie powerful opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and self-reliance. By embracing climate-resilient infrastructure, harnessing the potential of the blue economy, and placing refugees at the center of their own response, humanitarian actors can build camps that are safer, more dignified, and more sustainable.

Ultimately, the success of the humanitarian response in these settings will be measured not only by lives saved in emergencies but also by the resilience built over the long term. The international community must rise to this challenge with flexible funding, technical excellence, and a genuine commitment to partnership with displaced people and their hosts. The lessons learned from these coastal camps will shape the future of humanitarian response in a climate-disrupted world.

For further reading on climate displacement and humanitarian innovation, refer to the UNHCR’s work on climate change and displacement and explore case studies from the REACH initiative on climate vulnerability assessments.