"The impact of the climate crisis affects the lives of millions of people across our continent, causing displacement, death, and destruction far too frequently. The urgency for solutions becomes ever more pressing, especially as Africa hosts COP27 later this year.” -AU Extraordinary Humanitarian Summit Side Event
As stated in the African Union Extraordinary Humanitarian Summit and Pledging Conference High Level Side Event Concept Note, Africa continues to face some of the most complex humanitarian emergencies induced by climate change. Namely, the humanitarian area is exceptionally positioned to impact legal and policy systems to better channel assets and consideration towards vulnerable and endangered individuals.
In light of the current situation, the African Union Commission (AUC), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and ICVA organized a side event at the Extraordinary Humanitarian Summit and Pledging from May 23–27, 2022 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. On behalf of the AHA NGO organization, Executive Director Misikir Tilahun J.D., participated as a moderator on the panel discussion regarding the matter.
"We aim to explore the AU’s legislative, normative, and policy frameworks; we will hear the perspective of various humanitarian actors on ways to improve collaborations and efforts; and best practice will be shared. We will also hear perspectives on how best to include the active participation of various groups in decision making and particularly recommendations on how to improve the participation of affected populations. "
- Misikir Tilahun, J.D. Executive Director
He further indicated that it is AHA’s prime mission to respond to crises, conflicts, and disasters and the people that have been vulnerable to such incidents. As stated in the Climate Change and Humanitarian Action Learning Stream by ICVA, Commitment #6 of the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations approaches organizations such as AHA to capitalize on their leverage to activate earnest and determined climate action and environmental protection. As such, Miskir added, AHA will continue to stand by our pledge to address the crisis caused by climate change in Africa, as we have in previous years.