As the Africa Climate Summit gets underway in Kenya, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reaffirmed its commitment to climate action in the continent.
Development Diaries reports that the UN Refugee Agency said it has made funding commitments of up to $500 million to integrate climate action within its programming across 24 African countries for the year 2024.
The Africa Climate Summit 2023 is focused on delivering innovative green growth and climate finance solutions for Africa and the world.
Data from the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) shows that seven of the ten countries that are most vulnerable to climate change are in Africa.
UNHCR noted that Kenya is heavily impacted by regional displacement crises and it continues to be among the top refugee-hosting countries in Africa.
According to the UNCHR figures, Kenya hosts more than 630,000 refugees and has witnessed increased cross-border movements due to intensifying climate shocks that have contributed to food insecurity, tensions, and cycles of conflict in neighbouring countries.
It is understood that climate impacts continue to exacerbate the challenges vulnerable populations face across the Horn of Africa, with the combination of conflict and drought severely affecting their search for safety, basic necessities and a means to survive.
The UNHCR said there are ongoing investments through the Refugee Environmental Protection (REP) Fund, which aims to support impactful reforestation and clean cooking programmes in refugee-hosting areas vulnerable to climate change.
Photo source: UNHCR
