Cyclone Winston is real example of climate change: UNOCHA

NEW YORK: Natural disasters all over the world are having huge impacts on food, families, lives and economy, particularly for the most vulnerable communities.

This was highlighted by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs during a media brief with Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in New York. 

UN OCHA’s assistant secretary general Kyung-wha Kang says the impact of TC Winston on Fiji is a clear testament to this. 

“This is a stark and deadly example of severe humanitarian consequences of climate change.

“All humanitarians must be aware that globally, the incidents and magnitudes of climate change-related disasters are on the rise as well as climate related displacements. Added to this unplanned urbanisation in increasing integrated environments all contribute to the intensities of emergencies and crisis. This undermines development but also can reverse development gains.”

Kang says while disasters will always happen, countries must be always ready to respond to it when it happens. 

She says this is to minimise the damage and destruction so they don’t spiral out of control and become major humanitarian crisis. 

Kang has also praised Fiji for its quick recovery and response to the devastation caused by TC Winston.

Meanwhile, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as Winston is increasing and we have to be fearful about this – not only for ourselves but for future generations as well.

This has been raised by Prime Minister Bainimarama in New York just a few hours before the signing of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Bainimarama says countries should not only implement the Paris agreement but to go beyond it and do more to curb the carbon emission that scientists say are warming up our planet, causing disastrous events.

“With such a small carbon footprint, countries such as ours – like many other small developing countries – need assistance and access to finance for adaptation measures as opposed to mitigation.

“Adaptation after all, ladies and gentlemen, is part of our development agenda. That is why we in Fiji have mainstreamed climate change into our national planning processes. We need to persuade the world to assist us to build our resilience to climate change. To future proof us against cyclones and other extreme climatic events.”

Bainimarama says Fiji and its neighbouring states look to the developed nations to develop a comprehensive and practical framework to build economic resilience in our countries.

The Prime Minister will join other world leaders today to sign the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Fiji has committed to making a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 – a huge commitment for a nation our size and development.

(Destruction from Tropical Cyclone Winston. Picture: BC)

Tags: