With migration and population displacement caused by climate change
high on the Uruguayan Government's agenda, IOM, UNESCO, the UN's
Inter-Agency Group UNETE, Uruguay's National Emergency Preparedness
System and the Ministry of Housing and Territorial Zoning and the
Environment are today hosting a conference to find ways to mitigate
climate induced population displacement.

As a country with an extensive coast line and dependent on its
natural resources, Uruguay is already feeling the effects of
climate change and population displacement.  According to
Uruguay's National Emergency Preparedness System, between 1997 and
2005 a total of 47,181 persons of a total population of 3.3 million
were displaced due to drought, floods and other natural
disasters.

Official records indicate that since 2004 rainfall has increased
causing more flooding, while periods of drought have become
longer.

This week, Uruguay's Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and
Fishing reported that adapting to climate change and biodiversity
constitute great challenges for Uruguay, and added that the country
should brace for a rise in minimum temperatures and an increase in
rainfall.

More than 60 participants from international organizations,
government officials, civil society and researchers will discuss
climate change and natural disasters, population displacement,
population at risk, and sustainable development, exchange best
practices, and draft a work plan that will allow for capacity
building and, institutional strengthening at the national level in
order to be better prepared for natural disasters.

For more information please contact:

Alba Goycoechea

IOM Montevideo

Tel: +598-2-9168043

E-mail: "mailto:agoycoechea@iom.int">agoycoechea@iom.int