Participants during the workshop on climate change organised by Qatar Red Crescent Society.
Doha: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) concluded yesterday the Basic Workshop on Climate Change, organised over three days in cooperation with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Held at the Disaster Information Management Center (DIMC), the workshop was attended by 23 participants from QRCS relief staff and four trainers from QRCS and IFRC.
The purpose of the event was to introduce QRCS staff and volunteers to environmental issues, climate change, and what can be done by humanitarians to combat this phenomenon and reduce its impact.
As a key player in this respect, QRCS leads MENA National Societies towards a deeper understanding of climate change risks to the region, looking for practical solutions that help meet local needs and mobilize community support.
Climate change is a top priority on QRCS’s strategy, as MENA countries are particularly affected by severe weather conditions, hot waves, limited groundwater and rainfall, and scarce agricultural/arable lands.
That is why addressing climate change is an imperative and collective responsibility to reduce risks, build resilience, mitigate the potential/expected severe events, and improve people’s ability to respond to the resulting shocks/pressures.
On day 1 of the workshop, the participants learnt about the scientific causes of climate change, mainly greenhouse gases and global warming, with their implications for humanitarian action, by changing the patterns and risks of disaster, such as flooding, drought, sea level rise, marine transgression, saltwater intrusion, food security challenges, and health impact on vulnerable groups.
The sessions also discussed the role of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in dealing with climate change, through current and future negative impact reduction/adaptation, knowledge and awareness promotion, partnership with various stakeholders (governments, NGOs, the private sector, and local communities). QRCS is a signatory to the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations.
Day 2 focused on the early warning mechanisms designed to predict, reduce, and prepare for changing risks; minimize casualties and losses; and protect economic development. Among the decisive factors in this regard are: The Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF), the World Disasters Report, and the IFRC Framework for Climate Action Towards 2020.
Other topics included: Climate risks for cities and urban regions, air quality and temperature, green response, pollution and deforestation, loss of ecological diversity, ecosystem degradation, an ecological approach to the work of National Societies, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the Paris Agreement to enforce the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and Sphere Standards (water and sanitation, shelter, nutrition, and health).
The third day covered the role of media and communication in raising public awareness about the climate change risks to people’s lives, health, and livelihoods; how to influence decision-makers; behaviour-changing messages; and engagement of the youth as agents of change.
Discussions took place about the direct and indirect climate change risks to public health, such as higher atmospheric carbon dioxide levels; heat exhaustion; malnutrition; food-borne, water-borne, and vector-borne diseases; availability and quality of water; and hygiene and sewage.
