António Vitorino and Ms Thunberg said they “found a lot of common ground” in a recent discussion about the impact of global climate change on human mobility.
The Greta Thunberg Foundation has donated 275,000 Euros (about 269,000 USD) to support IOMU.S. emergency response to historic flooding in Pakistan and severe drought in Somalia.
‘Handle but event’
“We need to support people before they move, we need to support people while they move and after that, it’s a chain of events,” Ms. Thunberg said. “We need to think holistically like we would in any other emergency.”
Mr. Vitorino said he “fully agrees with the Swedish activist, adding that her generation is” a source of inspiration, resilience and unwavering resolve to tackle this enormous challenge from experience. ours in this field.
With 20 million people displaced each year due to climate change, the urgent need is to avert global environmental crises and address the impacts of climate migration, the IOM said.
‘Life and Death’: Thunberg
“This is a life-or-death question for the countless people fleeing because of the climate crisis,” Thunberg said.
The two agree that climate migration cannot be ruled out and that it is important to find solutions for people to stay, for those who are moving and for people to move.
“Those who are being more severely affected by climate change are populations that have previously contributed less to the problems we face,” said the IOM director.
“And so there is a need for solidarity and co-responsibility for the fate of people today who are experiencing in their daily lives the human suffering associated with climate change.”
The IOM estimates more than 15 million people in Somalia and Pakistan need humanitarian aid due to recent extreme weather events.
The donation from the Greta Thunberg Foundation is helping the United Nations agency continue its emergency response to affected communities in both countries.
Raise awareness
“IOM is grateful for the generous contribution of the Foundation and we are proud to partner with Greta to raise awareness about the impact of climate on migration,” said Mr. Vitorino.
Ms. Thunberg highlighted the additional actions of the IOM and young climate activists.
“Everyone has a different role. Organizations like the IOM are important in supporting those affected by climate change, and those of us who can help you [IOM] in your work should do the same. And those of us who can speak up to defend migrant justice and climate justice, should do the same,” she said.
Here is a link where you can learn more about IOM Migration, Environment, Climate Change and Risk Mitigation activities.
Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg, speaking at the opening of the United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019.
