This is the protocol for a systematic review examining the effects of climate drivers, specifically El Niño and the positive Indian Ocean Dipole (+IOD), on health, food security, migration, economic outcomes, and conflict in low- and middle-income countries across the Indo-Pacific region. It outlines the conceptual framework, research questions, and rigorous methodology that will guide the synthesis of available evidence.

The protocol defines eligibility criteria, including population, interventions, outcomes, and study designs, and details comprehensive search strategies across academic and grey literature sources. It also sets out procedures for study selection, data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment, and data synthesis, including the potential for meta-analysis where feasible.

By establishing transparent and robust methods, the protocol aims to ensure a high-quality, policy-relevant evidence synthesis. The findings of the subsequent review are intended to inform decision-making on climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation strategies in vulnerable contexts affected by climate variability.