Paper short abstract:

This paper shares insights from the RACPA project on climate-induced displacement in Southeast Asia, highlighting how communities navigate insecurities. It emphasises the role of local knowledge in resilience and advocates for integrated approaches to policy, adaptation, and institutional reforms.

Paper long abstract:

Coastal and island communities in Southeast Asia face compounding crises that threaten their resilience and human security. Climate change, socio-economic inequality, and poor urban planning intensify displacement, disrupting livelihoods and deepening vulnerabilities. Rising sea levels, land subsidence, and extreme weather events drive forced (im)mobility, making planned relocation an increasingly recognized adaptation strategy. Yet, how do communities navigate these insecurities while fostering resilience? What role should local knowledge systems play in reimagining human security? How can institutional architecture better support integrated approaches across humanitarian aid, development, and peacebuilding?

Through the Research and Advocacy for Climate Policy and Action (RACPA) project, this paper examines climate-induced displacement in Indonesia and the Philippines, focusing on Tambakrejo (Semarang City) and Wonoagung (Demak) in Indonesia, and Nocnocan Island (Bohol) in the Philippines. Findings reveal that despite severe environmental threats, many residents remain due to cultural ties and economic constraints. Adaptation strategies vary—from coastal defenses to livelihood diversification—yet institutional responses remain reactive and fragmented. Women’s roles, mental health, and the socio-economic dimensions of displacement emerge as critical yet often overlooked factors.

To reimagine human security, this study highlights the need for locally driven, multi-stakeholder solutions, including participatory climate governance, gender-sensitive resilience programs, and integrated disaster risk financing. Institutional reforms must move from short-term relief to long-term adaptation by embedding community knowledge in policy, ensuring equitable relocation support, and strengthening financial mechanisms like the Loss and Damage Fund. Grounded in participatory action research, this study advocates for inclusive governance, proactive adaptation, and equitable climate action to strengthen resilience.