In a day and age where environmental pleas for help often fall on deaf ears, one can only hope that this one does not. The Red Cross, the world’s largest and arguably most recognizable humanitarian aid group, is blaming climate change for worsening disasters the world over.
According to the Swiss-based federation, climate change is making it excessively harder for people in third world countries (especially) to find food and water. In addition, it widens the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever.
Thus, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is asking for donations to add up to a sum of $292 million per year for this year and next, to help those same communities steel themselves against the ravages of global warming.
“Response alone is no longer enough,” said Markku Niskala, secretary-general of the Red Cross.
186 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies make up the large whole, and all have pledged at a strategy setting conference in November to increase the aid they provide to those areas and communities most vulnerable to the effects of this climate change.
In addition, the Red Cross has agreed to increase programs for risk reduction and disaster preparedness in those areas. They will focus especially on small island states, and in delta regions across Africa, where the shifting climate patterns are most likely to do the worst damage.
Reuters via ENN – Red Cross says changing climate worsens disasters
Photo Courtesy of chaojikazu via Flickr
This is a very positive idea. Local communities can take direct action to help mitigate the effects of natural disasters while some resources can also be chanelled to foster social and economical development.
I hope IFRC campaign receives worldwide support, especially from OECD’s countries, so the Society can increase the aid to the people most likely to suffer the worst effects of global warming.