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Wealthy nations' decisions to slash development aid risk driving more people from their homes, according to Amy Pope, the head of the UN's International Organization for Migration. In an interview with AFP, Pope warned that reducing assistance makes it "so much higher" for people to be forced to leave their countries in search of safety and stability.

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When we see cuts in development assistance, we're actually just making the likelihood that people will have to leave in search of safety, in search of stability, so much higher.

Pope pointed to crises like Sudan, where she said the world's largest displacement crisis has been exacerbated by decreasing humanitarian support, pushing more Sudanese to seek refuge and opportunity elsewhere. She noted that several Western countries, including the United States and many European nations, have cut their development aid budgets in recent years while simultaneously tightening migration policies and strengthening border controls.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Berlin Climate Mobility Forum, Pope suggested that many countries are making "short-term decisions" driven by domestic political pressures that might not serve their long-term interests. She advocated for connecting aid with migration in ways that are "humane and dignified," empowering individuals and offering them opportunities to reduce large-scale movements.

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We've seen it in places like Sudan, which is the world's largest displacement crisis as a result of the war there.

Pope highlighted that climate change is a significant driver of global migration, citing rising sea levels threatening Pacific island states and storms displacing millions in the Philippines. She urged wealthy nations, who bear the greatest responsibility for climate change, to increase investment in stability and proactive migration solutions. "Let's not wait for the emergency... Let's make the investments now," she implored.

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With decreasing support for humanitarian assistance, we then see more Sudanese look for safety, look for opportunity further afield.

Contrary to some political narratives, Pope emphasized that the majority of displacement occurs within countries, not across borders. The IOM estimates that over 700 million people are internal migrants worldwide, compared to 304 million international migrants by mid-2024. She stressed that people will first seek resources and safety within their own countries before considering neighboring nations.

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In order to respond to domestic political pressures, many countries are making short-term decisions that may not ultimately serve (them) in the long term.