UN refugee agency seeks climate funding for displaced communities
The United Nations refugee agency is calling for displaced communities to be included in climate plans and finance before the Antalya climate summit. It estimates that nearly 90 million displaced people face severe climate risks. Drought, flooding and extreme heat threaten places of refuge and countries to which refugees return.
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Climate funding sought for displaced communities
The United Nations refugee agency is urging governments and climate finance institutions to include displaced communities in climate plans and funding. Ahead of the Antalya summit, it expressed concern that money is failing to reach people living in countries most exposed to climate hazards.[1], [2]
The agency estimates that nearly 90 million refugees and other forcibly displaced people face severe climate risks. Three-quarters live in highly exposed countries, where drought, flooding and extreme heat affect places of refuge.[1]
Refugees return to climate-exposed countries
More than two-thirds of refugees returning home in the first half of this year went to countries highly vulnerable to climate hazards, the agency says. In Syria, nearly four million displaced people have recently returned. Falling groundwater and climate shocks threaten recovery there; May flooding along the Euphrates damaged homes and displaced thousands again.[1]
Antalya talks put inclusion on the agenda
The agency says only 10 per cent of global climate finance reaches fragile and conflict-affected countries hosting large displaced populations exposed to climate risks. It will press its appeal during the climate conference in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20. Assistant high commissioner for operations Anton Leis Garcia said people fleeing conflicts were also on the frontlines of the climate crisis.[1]
