“For every dollar invested in disaster risk reduction, six dollars can be saved in humanitarian response.” - António Guterres

An alarming context!

On February 28, 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published an alarming new report detailing the extent and magnitude of climate change, and the urgent need for collective action.

This report, the 6th of its kind, confirms that climate change is not about to abate, and is already affecting nature and people more intensely and more frequently than originally predicted.

• Over the next decade, climate change will push between 32 and 132 million more people into extreme poverty.

• Already vulnerable populations will be the first to suffer the effects of climate change. Today, around 3.6 million people live in conditions of high vulnerability to climate change.

Adaptation to climate change at Humanity & Inclusion (HI)

Today more than ever, climate impacts are intensifying and disproportionately threatening the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable and excluded groups.

Faced with this reality, HI is working to bridge the gaps in social inclusion, empowering those most at risk and ensuring that disaster risk reduction governance, policies and practices take into account the diversity of needs and perspectives.

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): What are we talking about?

DRR aims to avoid, mitigate or transfer the adverse effects of natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, floods, droughts and cyclones through prevention, mitigation and preparedness activities and measures.

Given that certain groups are more exposed to disasters and their adverse effects, inclusive DRR is an effort to reduce the vulnerabilities of those most at risk and increase their capacities to reduce the risks associated with disasters.

• Disasters are five times more frequent than 50 years ago, partly due to climate change (WMO).

• People with disabilities represent 16% of the world's population (80% of whom live in developing countries) and are 2 to 4 times more likely to die in disaster situations.
• Women and children are 14 times more likely to die in disasters than men (UN Women).

Why and how does HI work in the field of DRR?

Having been involved in DRR efforts since the early 2000s, HI recognizes that climate change and disasters do not affect us all in the same way. People facing multidimensional inequalities based on factors such as disability, gender and age, or the interaction of these dimensions, are particularly vulnerable. To this end, HI strives to support the poorest communities and marginalized groups in their efforts to cope with, anticipate, prepare for and resist disaster risks and climate impacts.

An inclusive approach to DRR takes into account the diverse characteristics, capacities and vulnerabilities of communities, groups and individuals to climate change and disasters. To support this approach, HI, in collaboration with various partners, engages in operational activities, capacity building, research, policy work and advocacy, to ensure the full and meaningful participation of all groups and individuals. Our ultimate goal is to help reduce the loss and damage caused by disasters and suffered disproportionately by vulnerable and marginalized groups, particularly people with disabilities, while achieving equal rights and opportunities for all in responses to climate change.

Together, we can make a real difference.

Thank you for your vital support!

_{Please note that all our actions abroad are implemented by the Handicap International Federation. The funding needs outlined in this appeal for donations issued by Humanity & Inclusion Canada may evolve as a result of any other sources of funding received. This is why the donations entrusted to us are pooled to meet the priority needs of our various missions.}