Red Cross: Private sector participation needed to tackle climate change in Nigeria

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) says collaboration with the private sector is needed to tackle climate change in Nigeria.

The organisation spoke on Wednesday at an event in Lagos, themed ‘Moving Beyond Green: A Dialogue on Accelerated Climate Change Action’.

Speaking on the importance of the event and the need for partnership with the private sector, Bolaji Anani, president, Nigerian Red Cross, and vice-president, Africa region of the IFRC, said government alone cannot tackle the effects of climate change.

“The growing threat of climate change provides the private sector with the opportunity to team up with the Red Cross to deliver aid to communities in need, and help to reduce the pain and misery that people often experience in disaster situations,” he said.

“The responsibility to respond to the threat and effects of climate change is one that needs a collective approach, and one that cannot be left to players in the humanitarian sector alone.”

The organisation said funds that will be used to improve emergency response for communities that are impacted by climate change, are usually through the IFRC’s disaster response emergency fund (DREF).

DREF, according to the organisation, is a fund that is made available by the IFRC to all 192 members of the Red Cross and Crescent around to world to help with improved response.

Bhupinder Tomar, head of delegation, Abuja country cluster, said DREF has made it possible for the Nigerian Red Cross branches to anticipate, respond and provide assistance to affected states.

“As we are seeing in Nigerian states such as Kogi, Jigawa, Anambra, and other states where we have witnessed higher than usual rainfall this year, the DREF has made it possible for the Nigerian Red Cross branches to anticipate, respond and provide assistance to people who have been displaced by the floods, and is
empowering the Red Cross to give them much-needed care packages that will help them till they are able to find some respite,” he said.

“Climate change is a slow onset disaster which is upsetting the lives of many people around the world. In Nigeria, the people who suffer the most from the effects of climate change are often economically and socially disenfranchised, making it even more challenging to contend with the impacts of climate change.

“It is for this reason that the Red Cross is seeking to bolster its relationship with the private sector to make sure that such people do not suffer unduly.”

Abubakar Kende, secretary-general of the Nigerian Red Cross, said the NRCS is an 800,000-strong volunteer organisation, with volunteers in the all LGAs.