The environmental refugee category has been used to describe the displacement caused by extreme weather conditions. Estimates are that there will be a significant increase in this type of movement in the coming years, mainly by worsening environmental conditions resulting from climate change. However, there is considerable controversy regarding the importance of environmental factors on migratory decision. In this sense, the article seeks to bring a reflection on the relevance of environmental refugee category in the context of out-migration from northern semiarid region, the more burdened by drought. For this we use the official data of decree Emergency Situation (SE) and the State of Public Calamity (ECP) and 2010 Census data to analyze the profile and the role that environmental and social factors can have on migrants. The results indicate that the absence of income transfer programs have a more important role than the official droughts among out-migration from this region. Although the results need further investigation, the evidence points to strategies that contribute to greater resilience of the people are effective for coping with drought.
out-migration; Northern Semiarid; environmental displacements; social policies