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Why climate matters for people affected by conflict

“Conflicts cause deaths and injuries. They also disrupt the social, political and economic organization of societies, aggravate disparities and erode development. In protracted conflicts, the persistence of such disruption often leaves indelible marks on people and societies,” the ICRC says.

“Climate risks and environmental degradation only make matters worse. The convergence of climate risks and conflict further worsens food and economic insecurity and health disparities, limits access to essential services, while weakening the capacity of governments, institutions and societies to provide support.”

The Climate Centre is advancing practice, policy and research on the intersection of climate and conflict, by supporting the ICRC to integrate climate risk into its operations globally, including capacity building, a dedicated help desk, research and policy.    

For more information, contact Catalina Jaime (jaime@climatecentre.org).

A handbook for navigating fragility, conflict and violence
Publications

A handbook for navigating fragility, conflict and violence

Communities beset by fragility, conflict and violence are disproportionately affected by disasters, and specially framed risk reduction in these settings is pivotal to saving lives amidst the political and social turmoil. But how? A new handbook helps to navigate the challenges and uncertainties of FCV settings. Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and jointly developed by the IFRC, the ICRC, the German Red Cross and the Climate Centre, it is based on solid Movement experience and is also available in summary form in French and Spanish.

Read the handbook

Current projects

*Integration of climate risk into ICRC operations
*Disaster risk reduction in fragile, conflict and violent contexts
*CGIAR initiative on fragility, conflict and migration
*Adaptation to tropical cyclones in the context of displacement (CLARE-REPRESA, Cabo Delgado, Mozambique) (photo below)
*HumanitarianStreetMap partnership.

Anticipatory action practitioners

As part of the Anticipation Hub, a group of practitioners focused on anticipatory action in conflict brings together researchers, specialists and other humanitarians to understand how anticipatory action could be designed and implemented effectively in situations of conflict to reach the most vulnerable population.

Building on a working paper jointly authored by the Climate Centre, the group has identified two discussion tracks: interventions based on forecasts of hydrometeorological hazards and on forecasts of the humanitarian consequences of ongoing conflict.

Interactive

Screening programmes for climate risk

Our screening process for operations identifies climate risks, and gaps, as well as opportunities for climate action at operational and institutional level, through collaboration between the ICRC and the Climate Centre.

So far 35 delegations have participated – the largest baseline operational analysis of its kind by a humanitarian organization; 25 delegations have now developed climate action plans, including a road map of priority measures.

Sudan (2022)
Screening programmes for climate risk
Animation

Loss and damage, and community, in Niger

This video explores loss and damage in the context of Niger, highlighting the issues of social cohesion and the effect of conflict and displacement. The commentary explains that the impact of the latter on the former is under-recognized but crucial. “What will save us isn’t only what can be seen,” it adds. The production was supported by Denmark.

Watch the video