Assisted relocation is a government-led adaptation option that helps communities move safely and fairly from areas at high risk of sea-level rise or coastal flooding to safer locations inland. Assisted relocation is usually a last resort option. In Caribbean islands such as Curaçao, Aruba, and St. Martin, where many people live and work near the coast, rising seas and stronger storms threaten homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Assisted relocation involves careful planning and support to ensure that affected families are not left behind. This includes financial help for housing and transportation, social and psychological support during the transition, and fair land and resettlement planning developed with community participation. By relocating vulnerable communities before disasters strike, assisted relocation reduces exposure to climate hazards, prevents loss of life and property, and supports long-term resilience and well-being.
Feasibility & Local Applicability
Assisted relocation in the Caribbean faces several practical and social challenges. Land availability is limited on small islands, making it difficult to find safe, affordable areas for resettlement. Legal and property rights can be complex, especially in informal settlements or areas with unclear ownership. Cultural ties to land and community identity may lead to resistance, as relocation can disrupt social networks and livelihoods. Financial constraints and limited access to climate adaptation funding also affect feasibility. Assisted relocation must be integrated into National Adaptation Plans.
Co-benefits
When done well, assisted relocation can also improve access to services, housing quality, and economic opportunities, while protecting lives and reducing future disaster recovery costs.
Equity & Vulnerability Considerations
Assisted relocation must be community-driven and inclusive to ensure equity and long-term success. This means working closely with both displaced and host communities to understand their needs, values, and concerns. Relocation is not just about moving people, it involves building new, resilient settlements with proper housing, infrastructure, and access to jobs and services. It’s also vital to address the social and cultural impacts of displacement, such as loss of land, livelihoods, and traditional ways of life. Without sustained support, relocated communities may face new vulnerabilities. Ensuring long-term investment in the new settlements helps protect well-being and strengthens climate resilience.
Costs
High
Case-studies & Examples
- IOM LAC Blog. Planned Relocation: four points to consider in a changing environment
- Adaptation Community. Climate change and migration explainer
Literature
- Marter-Kenyon, J. (2020). Origins and functions of climate-related relocation: An analytical review. The Anthropocene Review, 7(2), 159-188.
- Pill, M. (2020). Planned relocation from the impacts of climate change in small island developing states: the intersection between adaptation and loss and damage. In Managing climate change adaptation in the Pacific region (pp. 129-149). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
- Goldfinch, S. & Huckstep, S. (2025). “Planned Relocation of Climate-Vulnerable Communities: Preparing Multilateral Development Banks” CGD Policy Paper 352. Washington, DC: Center for Global Development.
- Thomas, A., Benjamin, L. (2018), "Policies and mechanisms to address climate-induced migration and displacement in Pacific and Caribbean small island developing states". International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, Vol. 10 No. 1 pp. 86–104,