By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
As Climate Change continues to impact and ravage communities across the world, President Julius Maada Bio has called on development partners to support African nations across the continent including Sierra Leone to tackle the global problem it poses to society.
He was delivering an address on the topic Financing Locally Led Climate Action Programme at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya on the 4th September, 2023.
President Bio noted that Africa, especially Sierra Leone is experiencing heart- wrenching traces from increased flash floods, drought and high winds that are accompanied by pollution, landslide and mudslide- the latter experienced some years ago.
He stated that Africa is at a cross road in making tangible decisions to move from policy statements to taking concrete actions in combating the global menace of climate change.
He said the summit is a great example of a home- grown solution to a global problem, noting that “when the world creates a mess, we have to find a way at home to solve them with no excuses because we are an integral part of the world.”
He stated that Sierra Leone is among 20 of the most vulnerable nations in the world in relation to the effects of climate change whose impact is real as the country continues to face deforestation, coastal erosion and mudslides, among others.
He said if no action is taken on time in Sierra Leone, the country will definitely lose valuable eco-systems and suffer from people displacements and loss of livelihoods.
The President went on to say that his Government recognizes the threat posed by climate change and has taken necessary steps and actions to minimize the potential for further damage. He added that the country has directly responded to the overall objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) national adaptation plan guideline for reducing vulnerability to its impact, by building the country’s adoptive capacity, resilience, and facilitating the integration of climate adaptation into relevant existing and new policies, programmes and activities.
He a said the government’s initial National Adaptation Plan (NAP) also gives guidance and provides information on action to reduce climate change vulnerability regarding Water Resources, Agriculture and Food Security, Public Health, Coastal Zones and Communities across the country.
He added that they are implementing coordination and reporting mechanism for all climate related activities and projects of government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
This will facilitate and coordinate the country’s climate change programmes , and develop them in line with national programmes and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and outcomes derived from the UNFCCC’s process, the president noted.
President Bio looked forward to a bilateral South-South Cooperation with Kenya to undertake the necessary assessment and formulation of a similar programme in the near future. He said such cooperation could shorten the time for design of various programmes,and help countries move faster in developing bankable projects.
“We all know how much climate change is impacting and ravaging our communities. I have no doubt that the Financing Locally Led Action Programme will benefit millions of Kenyans and Africans and lay a solid foundation for robust climate adaptation efforts over the next decade,” President Bio pointed out.
He noted that the transformative actions taken by the Kenyan Government to reduce community- led vulnerabilities and building resilient climate change impacts through local initiatives is a laudable step from policy to action.
The financing locally led climate action programme is geared towards delivering locally-led climate resilience actions and strengthening country and national government’s capacity to manage climate risks.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (06/09/23)
