Geneva, 2 November 2022 (TDI): The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) will urge world leaders to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and substantially boost funding at COP 27.
It will do so to help the most vulnerable communities adapt and deal with the catastrophic effects they are already experiencing.
None of the world’s 30 most vulnerable nations is among the 30 greatest recipients of adaptation funds per capita, according to new statistics from the largest humanitarian network in the world.
The severe repercussions of the climate crisis are felt throughout the entire world, but the communities most at risk are receiving the least support.
Also Read: COP 27: Pre-Summit Speech by UN Secretary-General
The most vulnerable country to climate change was Somalia, yet in terms of funds for adaptation, it came in 64th place. Each year, Somalia got less than $1 per person for adaptation to climate change compared to less than $2 for the Central African Republic.
According to IFRC data, weather- and climate-related events were to blame for 86% of all-natural disasters that occurred in the last 10 years, killing at least 410,000 people and harming an additional 1.7 billion.
Voice of the Officials
Francesco Rocca, IFRC President said “Climate change is harming the most vulnerable on our planet, and it’s a crisis. If world leaders do not help those communities who are most affected by climate change, COP 27 will not succeed.
Families who are losing loved ones, homes, or means of subsistence cannot wait for hazy commitments or ill-defined assurances.
We need political action and tangible measures that prioritize the communities most in danger and help them become more resilient in order to save lives both now and in the future. We must safeguard those who will be most negatively impacted by the current climate disaster.”
Caroline Holt, Director of Disaster, Climate, and Crises at the IFRC remarked “Increasing adaptation funding is essential to help countries address the effects of climate change and prepare for the future, but the new IFRC analysis shows that the funding isn’t getting to places and communities who need it most.
The average amount allocated for climate adaptation per person in nations with the highest susceptibility is less than 1 CHF.”
Maarten Van Aalst, Director of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, asserts that communities can prevent extreme weather events from turning into disasters if they are given the resources to foresee and prepare for climate hazards.
Van Aalst emphasized the need for increased global efforts to address the losses and harms already suffered by those living in areas most affected by climate catastrophe.
IFRC Mission
The IFRC wants to help member National Societies reach 250 million people annually with services for coping with and mitigating the effects of climate change in order to lessen suffering and vulnerability.
IR Scholar
