CONSULTANT (MECR) - Data Gap Analysis on Disaster-Related Mobility in Sri Lanka

Organizational Unit\*\*: MIGRATION, ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE RESILIENCE\*\*

Duty Station\*\*: COLOMBO\*\*

Type of Appointment: **CONSULTANCY**

Duration\*\*: 6 MONTHS\*\*

Estimated Start Date\*\*: ASAP\*\*

Closing Date\*\*: 11 June 2026\*\*

**Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to government and migrants.**

**IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at** **Diversity and Inclusion at IOM | International Organization for Migration** **. Internal and external candidates are eligible to apply to this vacancy. For the purpose of the vacancy, internal candidates are considered as first-tier candidates.**

**Project Context and Scope:**

Climate change is one of the fundamental challenges for sustainable development in the 21st century and is likely to have significant impacts on Sri Lanka1. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall patterns, floods, prolonged dry spells and droughts, storms, intense lightning and hurricanes, together with land degradation and human-wildlife conflicts, are some of the main impacts that climate and environmental change are having on communities across the country. These climate-related hazards magnify the risks and uncertainties of human life and livelihoods, jeopardizing the living standards, livelihoods, and well-being (material, social, and cognitive) of people across the country.

The impacts on vulnerable communities are particularly acute, especially for those living in climate-vulnerable zones and who rely upon nature-based livelihoods such as farming and fishing. In addition, daily paid jobs and self-employment are also directly and indirectly affected due to climate shocks due to reduced coping capacities and increased vulnerability.

Human mobility linked to climate change, disasters and environmental degradation takes place in multiple forms, including migration, displacement, and planned relocation, amongst other forms of mobility and immobility.

The decisions to migrate in the context of climate change, disasters and environmental degradation can span extended periods such as in the case of slow-onset environmental degradation that reduces crop yields over multiple seasons, leading to eroding incomes. Sudden-onset events force immediate decisions to flee, such as in cases of displacement due to floods or landslides. Sudden-onset events force immediate decisions to flee, such as in cases of displacement due to floods or landslides. Recent events, including Cyclone Ditwah (2025–2026), have further demonstrated the scale and urgency of such movements.

At the peak of the event, the DMC situational report data indicated that over 2 million individuals were affected, including more than 270,000 internally displaced persons across the country. Ongoing situation reports from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) further indicate3, Kandy, Kegalle, Matale, Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, highlighting the need for strengthened data systems, monitoring mechanisms and anticipatory planning for climate-related mobility. However, environmental degradation and natural hazards rarely act in isolation. Human mobility is driven by multiple and interrelated factors: economic, political and socio-cultural.

Displacement and migration can happen either permanently or temporarily within a country or across administrative borders. Although displacement is mostly a direct impact of climate-related disasters, other forms of migration are also influenced by social, political, economic, demographic, and environmental drivers (anyone or many of which can cause migration). Thus, human mobility in the context of climate-related events is a multi-dimensional issue. With the right conditions in place, migration can be a powerful tool for climate adaptation.

It can diversify income sources, create new livelihood opportunities, and enhance people’s knowledge and skills. For example, planned evacuation as a disaster management strategy has significantly reduced the risk of deaths, here in Sri Lanka and overseas. Furthermore, state-led, community driven planned relocation initiatives in landslide-prone areas in the central hills of the country have proven necessary steps towards mitigating disaster risks and anticipatory actions for disaster risk reduction. However, such mobilities can also produce negative outcomes, including increased trauma, loneliness, loss of livelihood, access to education, heavy workload, conflict, loss of social cohesion, loss of identity, loss of socioeconomic and cultural ties, stress of the new environment, burden on health, hygiene, and sanitation, loss of routine li