The impact of climate emergencies

Jersey Overseas Aid re-starts its outreach programme with climate crisis event.

Two experts from international development charity CARE International will be visiting Jersey to talk to islanders about how climate change is affecting natural disasters, and what humanitarian agencies are doing about it.

The free event, organised by Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), is the first event of its ‘Jersey International Development Network’ series to take place since the Covid-19 pandemic brought the outreach programme to a halt in 2020.

“Climate change affects the frequency and severity of floods, droughts and storms, and can also exacerbate man-made crises” said Jersey’s Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey. “Concern about global warming has also influenced the international donor community’s funding priorities. I am delighted that islanders will have the opportunity to hear first-hand from CARE International about the challenges faced by NGOs in tackling emergencies when they happen, and in building preparedness and resilience before they do so.”

Claas Beecken, Humanitarian Lead and Anna Strain, Programme Development Specialist, both from CARE International, one of JOA’s humanitarian partners, will be sharing their expert views on the impact of the climate crisis and the approaches NGOs can take to respond to these emergencies. They will provide a frank assessment of the challenges they face, and look in detail at specific projects such as the partnership between JOA and CARE, working alongside local partners County Government of Garissa and Fafi Integrated Development Assistance (FaIDA), in responding to the severe drought in the Horn of Africa.

“As the world faces ongoing and frequent natural disasters caused by the climate crisis and compounded by war and the impact of a pandemic, we are excited to share how CARE International, and the humanitarian system, is adapting and innovating to be able to support those in need. We are delighted to share with islanders how we are working with local communities to bring sustainable change, and the invaluable contribution that Jersey is making to this work,” said Anna Strain, Programme Development Specialist, CARE International.

CARE International was founded in 1945 and works around the world to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice. The organisation puts women and girls at the centre of their work because they recognise that poverty cannot be overcome until all people have equal rights and opportunities. Around 10,000 people work for CARE, most of whom are nationals of the country they work in as local experts have the know-how and knowledge to deliver the change that is needed in their communities. One of CARE’s areas of specialism is in dealing with climate related crises and has set itself a goal of helping 25 million poor and marginalised people – particularly women and girls – to become more resilient and better equipped to adapt to the effects of climate change.

JOA’s Jersey International Development Network brings together islanders with an interest in international development and humanitarian aid. Events are organised several times a year to facilitate discussion on current crises and trends, to hear from leading organisations in the sector, and to give the Jersey public a chance to have their say about overseas aid.

Pictured: Water collection Dadaab Kenya – Care International