UNHCR Amplifies Voices of Displaced on Frontlines of Climate Change
November 14, 2024
Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today launched a new initiative to amplify the voices of people displaced by climate change, who are often overlooked in global discussions on the issue.
“Climate change is not a distant threat, it is a reality that is already affecting millions of people around the world, forcing them to flee their homes,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. “We need to hear their stories and understand their needs.”
The initiative, called “Climate Voices,” will give a platform to displaced people from around the world to share their experiences and advocate for solutions. The first phase of the project will focus on four countries: Bangladesh, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
In Bangladesh, rising sea levels and extreme weather events are displacing thousands of people every year. In Colombia, conflict and violence are compounded by the effects of climate change, leading to widespread displacement. In Ethiopia, drought and flooding are forcing people to abandon their homes and livelihoods. And in Kenya, herders are struggling to cope with increasingly frequent and severe droughts.
“I had to leave my home because of the rising sea level,” said Fatima, a displaced woman from Bangladesh. “I lost everything, and now I live in a camp with hundreds of other families. I feel like my voice is not heard.”
The Climate Voices initiative will help to raise awareness of the human toll of climate change, and to advocate for solutions that will protect and support displaced people. The project will also provide training and support to displaced people to help them to build resilience and adapt to the challenges of climate change.
“We need to empower displaced people to participate in decisions that affect their lives,” said Grandi. “They have a right to have their voices heard and to be part of the solutions.”
The Climate Voices initiative is part of UNHCR’s broader strategy to address the challenges of climate change and displacement. The agency is working to strengthen its partnerships with other organizations, including governments, NGOs, and the private sector, to develop and implement innovative solutions to protect and support displaced people.
Additional Information:
- The Climate Voices initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
- The project will be implemented by UNHCR in collaboration with its partners, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and the World Food Programme (WFP).
- The project will run for three years, with a budget of €10 million.
UNHCR amplifies voices of displaced on frontlines of climate change
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