Among the extreme weather occurrences in Mauritius, there are three that have directly impacted communities: tropical cyclones, flash floods and sea-level rise. Other related observed phenomena are droughts, landslides, forest fires, coral bleaching and wave surges. Among the 171 countries that are most vulnerable to climate change, Mauritius is ranked 18th according to the World Risk Report (UNU, 2014).
Today, one of the key challenges of the government is how to integrate migration within its strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on current and future generations, within a framework of long-term and inclusive development.
Environmental changes are not expected to lead to significant increase in outmigration from Mauritius, nor create large contingents of internal migrants. However, changing access and availability of resources and its dividends on livelihoods is likely to increase pressure on local communities. In addition to branching into regional and international dialogues on migration management, continued domestication of international development strategies and implementation of the NCCAPF will help to prepare for the potential migratory outcomes of natural hazards and environmental changes.