The United Nations has unveiled a new initiative aimed at helping refugees and displaced communities cope with the impacts of climate change. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) announced the launch of a Climate Resilience Fund with a goal of raising $100 million by the end of next year.

The fund targets areas where climate-related disasters are hitting the hardest, often leading to poverty and conflict that drive people from their homes. In 2022, over 70 percent of refugees came from countries highly vulnerable to climate change.

UNHCR’s Filippo Grandi stressed that climate change is worsening conflict, destroying jobs, and forcing people to leave their homes. He noted that many nations accepting refugees are also the most affected by climate issues.

Despite these challenges, funding to address climate impacts on displaced people and host communities has fallen short. Grandi emphasized that the new fund will work to involve refugees in local and national climate efforts.

The fund will prioritize projects that engage affected communities, providing sustainable resources like clean energy for refugee camps and building shelters that can withstand climate challenges. These efforts aim to improve living conditions and safety for refugees and their hosts.

UNHCR’s mandate covers over 114 million displaced individuals globally. The launch of this fund underscores the urgent need for inclusive solutions to tackle the growing risks of climate change and displacement.

As climate crises escalate, global cooperation and financial support will be vital to protect vulnerable populations in an increasingly unstable climate. The success of initiatives like the Climate Resilience Fund hinges on broad support to enhance the resilience of those most affected by climate change.