Climate change continues to take a big and unprecedented toll on the planet Earth with the global phenomena showing no sign of slowing down. The grave ramification of the increasingly worrying problem has appeared more severe over time. And, the last decade was punctuated by extreme ends of weather situations as the world goes through bone-chilling weather and sweltering temperature. Natural disasters continue to occur across the globe equally impacting nations in spite of their varying contribution to the major threats of mankind.
Droughts, flash flooding, and other menaces have claimed millions of lives and displaced many creating an alarming humanitarian crisis. However, the repercussion of climate change is being felt intensively in developing countries where early warning systems and prevention methods are weak. Resource is also scarce and some nations have been struggling to overcome the dire humanitarian crisis they are faced with.
Interestingly, developing nations like Ethiopia have been engaged in massive tree planting and greenery projects in an effort to combat climate change. And, international support has ironically remained largely little with climate financing yet to materialize.
Although African nations have been the least emitters of carbon, they have been worst hit by the myriad of impacts of climate change. And, developed nations that have achieved economic growth at the expense of environmental pollution failed developed nations in terms of providing compensation. Actions are yet hard to come by while promises have been nothing but lip services. In what could be said insult to injury, developed nations turn a blind eye to the human carnage unfolding in African nations.
Oftentimes, the Horn of Africa where Ethiopia is located has been facing recurrent droughts and famine-like situations requiring the developing nations a huge chunk of money. Climate change is adding an insult to the conflict-ridden region. The magnitude of the problem demands the constant and unwavering engagement of the international community. For the time being Ethiopia and other countries have been doing their level best to cope up with the acute challenge mostly created by developed economies.
Currently, there are 7.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and the government has allotted over 7.9 billion Birr in two rounds to distribute the essentials. According to the National Disaster Risk Management Commission (NDRMC) Senior Public Relations Officer Atalele Abuhay, over the last forty-five days, in two rounds, the government delivered humanitarian assistance to some 7.3 million needy people located in North Gondar and Wag Hemra zones of the Amhara State as well as three zones of the Tigray State. Some 3.6 million people received cash assistance and the remaining citizens are beneficiaries of food-related items.
The officer further stated that the government has provided 610, 000 quintals of the crop, 54, 000 quintals of nutritious food, and one million liters of edible oil for children and pregnant women in the second round. Some 1.5 billion Birr cash has also been distributed through the support of the World Bank Group.
While Ethiopia has been trying to help those in need of humanitarian assistance through its national capacities, addressing the impacts of climate change and helping the victims of the global crisis is also the onus of the international community. Particularly, developed nations have also the moral duty and the responsibility to help African countries fight for the global cause.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 1 DECEMBER 2023
