The United Nations is initiating a fresh Climate Resilience Fund aimed at bolstering protections for “refugees and displaced communities” imperiled by climate change.
Announced by the UN refugee agency on Wednesday, the objective is to raise $100 million for this fund by the close of the following year, with a focus on aiding refugees, their host communities, and nations most severely impacted by climate-related emergencies.
Emphasizing the strong linkage between climate hazards, conflict, and poverty, the agency underscored that a significant majority—over 70 percent—of refugees and asylum seekers in 2022 originated from countries highly vulnerable to climate shifts.
UN Refugee Chief Filippo Grandi remarked in a statement, “The repercussions of climate change are increasingly devastating, exacerbating conflicts, demolishing livelihoods, and ultimately prompting displacement.”
He noted that many nations exhibiting generosity in hosting refugees also find themselves severely affected by the climate crisis.
However, he cautioned that the available funding to address climate change impacts fails to reach displaced populations and their host communities.
The newly established fund by UNHCR seeks to ensure refugee inclusion in national and local climate initiatives. It also aims to enhance access to environmentally sustainable resources in refugee camps and other displacement settings, including clean energy for powering water sources, educational facilities, and healthcare infrastructure.
Additionally, the fund will facilitate environmental restoration, construction of climate-resilient shelters, and support for climate-smart livelihoods.
Prioritizing projects involving affected communities in design and implementation, the fund endeavors to yield locally felt impacts.
“By mitigating exposure to climate-related risks, ensuring access to sustainable resources, and promoting inclusivity, these initiatives will tangibly enhance living conditions, safety, and welfare for refugees and their hosts,” Grandi affirmed.
The UNHCR, responsible for safeguarding over 114 million globally displaced individuals, remains committed to this endeavor.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
