UNHCR amplifies the voices of displaced people at the frontline of climate change
Actors and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Theo James launched the campaign at the COP29 Climate Conference in Baku, along with a group of eight displaced people with first-hand knowledge of the climate crisis that is affecting families such as how.
The actor joined UNHCR’s urgent call to address the impact of record rising temperatures on displaced communities.
Passionate about climate activism, refugees participating in this initiative will advocate for climate justice and demand a voice in policy discussions.
The Climate Refugee Action Group was initially convened by UNHCR in 2023 to create a space where refugees and displaced communities on the frontline of climate change could share their experiences. their unique experience and knowledge.
According to James calls for more action
After a recent visit to Mauritania, Mr. James said he was committed to supporting their efforts. His grandfather was a refugee who fled Europe to the safety of Syria during World War II: “I witnessed the profound injustice of the climate crisis towards refugees. The disaster and emergency are real,” he said.
“However, I have also seen the resilience of those affected – refugees are finding solutions and they must be heard,” he added, calling on leaders to put must relocate to the center of conversation.
Refugee climate activists
The network brings together refugees and displaced people from countries including Afghanistan, Yemen, Haiti, Bangladesh and Brazil, each with lived experiences of displacement linked to conflict and transformation climate, and those who are promoting climate action initiatives in their communities.
Najeeba Wazefadost, a member of the group and founder of the Asia Pacific Refugee Network (APNOR), who empowers Afghan women through solar power to support their businesses, “We refugees are on the front lines of the climate crisis,” said.
“For us, climate change is not an abstract threat. It is a daily fight for survival, stability and dignity. We call on leaders to listen to our stories and take decisive action that includes us, supports our resilience, and empowers people-led solutions. refugee leadership,” added Ms. Wazefadost, who fled Afghanistan in 2000.
Najeeba Wazefadost, Founder and CEO of Asia Pacific Refugee Network.
War and climate impacts or emergencies
Other members of the group include Mohammed Anowar, a Rohingya refugee living in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, who trains other refugees in flood resilience; Eman Al-Hamali, an internally displaced woman from Yemen, leads a solar microgrid project providing affordable energy to vulnerable households in her community there; and Ermano Prévoir, from Haiti, now living in Brazil, is an agronomist researching sustainable farming techniques to improve food security.
Opira Bosco Okot, a refugee climate activist living in Uganda who uses communications technology to advocate, said: “As refugees and displaced people, we have witnessed insight into the profound impacts of war on our lives and communities – and now the global climate emergency.” Refugee access to climate policy discussions
In the first climate report release on Tuesday, UNHCR said three out of four forcibly displaced people worldwide – 90 million out of 120 million – live in countries highly impacted by climate change.
UNHCR commitment
This initiative demonstrates UNHCR’s commitment to placing displaced communities at the heart of climate action. The group will serve as a think tank on climate issues, contribute to key local and global climate events, and work to ensure that refugee voices and perspectives and displaced people are integrated into UNHCR’s work and international climate discussions.
UNHCR provides its members with training and capacity-building opportunities, helping them sharpen their advocacy skills and expand their influence during key climate events like COP29.
