Mercy Corps Calls For Urgent Climate Adaptation Funding at Climate Ambition Summit

On the eve of the Climate Ambition Summit co-hosted by the UK, global organisation Mercy Corps has called for more funding to urgently go to vulnerable and fragile communities worldwide.

Mercy Corps team members, based on the frontlines of the climate crisis in Nigeria, Uganda and Nepal, have warned that failure to prioritise climate adaptation in their countries will lead to even greater levels of global conflict, displacement and poverty.

From our experience, we know solutions are possible, from building climate resilience and planning for disasters, to using peacebuilding approaches to prevent climate-related conflicts. 

This year, we are asking decision-makers at the Climate Ambition Summit to prioritise climate adaptation financing and support communities living on the frontlines of the crisis.

Sajan Neupane, Policy and Advocacy Specialist, Nepal, said:

“Less than half of major multilateral climate financing reaches the countries most at risk from the impacts of the climate crisis, such as Nepal. This is far less than what was promised and far less than what is needed.

"Five years on from the Paris Agreement, extreme climate events have become more frequent and more devastating. Monsoon floods in Nepal this year alone killed hundreds and displaced thousands. Entire communities could not continue to work as they were forced out of their homes by the climate crisis, with floods destroying crops and their only sources of income right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"We know that building resilience and planning for disasters not only saves money in the long-term, but saves lives and livelihoods. This years’ Climate Ambition Summit and COP26 must prioritise getting climate adaptation financing in the places like Nepal that need it most."

Ram Kishan, Deputy Country Director, Nigeria, said:

"In central Nigeria, the climate crisis is directly fueling regional violence and conflict in local communities as natural resources, such as water and farmable land, become more and more scarce. Conflict between farmers and pastoralists has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and cost the Nigerian economy billions, and violence is becoming more frequent as the climate crisis intensifies.

"We know from Mercy Corps’ work in Nigeria that long-term sustainable solutions are possible, that peacebuilding can help to stop climate-related conflict. But we also know that without more financing reaching the communities that need it most, social division and conflict will continue to grow. I hope that this year’s Climate Ambition Summit prioritises people like those in central Nigeria who are living on the frontlines of the climate crisis."

Paul Kweheria, Financial Services Team Leader, Uganda, said:

"At a time where COVID-19 has plunged more people in East Africa into poverty and hunger, the climate crisis has acted as a deadly multiplier. In Uganda, we have seen not only unpredictable weather, floods and a global pandemic, but the most severe desert locust swarms in 60 years, directly linked to the climate crisis. Uganda is the second largest refugee-hosting country in the world, but the rising population and limited access to food is making it harder for already vulnerable communities to survive.

"A year away from the delayed COP26, countries like Uganda cannot afford to wait any longer. This year’s Climate Ambition Summit provides a vital opportunity to double down on our commitments to those that need support now by investing in the infrastructure that protects farmers and food supplies from the effects of the climate crisis."