The UNHCR Argentina Foundation has launched the campaign Blue Ponchos for the Climate with the objective of gathering 2 million signatures that will be presented at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The organization calls on the entire Argentine society to support this initiative to demand lasting solutions for climate displaced people from world leaders.
In 2023 More than 26 million internal displacements were recorded due to climate disasters, the third highest number in the last decade. He climate change remains one of the greatest crises of our time, forcing millions to flee and putting the survival of those already suffering from war and persecution at risk. Paula Martínez ÁlvarezDirector of Communications of the UNHCR Argentina Foundation, states that “The climate crisis is causing millions of forced displacements and puts the basic rights of refugees and displaced people at risk.”.
The Land has experienced a 1.1°C (2°F) increase in its average temperature since the end of the 19th century. This global warming generates devastating effects, such as desertification, rising sea levels and extreme weather events that violate fundamental human rights, including the right to life, water, food, health and adequate housing. UNHCR Argentina Foundation underlines the urgency of measures because “56% of forced internal displacements in 2023 were caused by natural disasters.”
The crisis disproportionately affects countries and communities that contribute the least to climate change. Approximately 70% of those internally displaced by conflict and 60% of stateless people reside in particularly climate-vulnerable countries. The UNHCR Argentina Foundation highlights that displaced women, girls and boys are 14 times more likely to die from climate disasters than men.
One of the most notable cases of 2023 was that of Brazil, where the floods in Rio Grande do Sul They affected more than 1.7 million people. Around 68,000 people were forced to live in shelters, while more than 327,000 had to leave their homes. These figures are in addition to the 41,000 refugees, many of them of Venezuelan and Haitian origin, who were also affected by the floods.
UNHCR Argentina Foundation has adapted its traditional symbol of Blue Poncho in his campaign, adding the “global warming stripes” designed by the scientist Ed Hawkings, which graphically represent the historical evolution of temperature change in the last 100 years. This initiative seeks to raise awareness about the climate crisis and demand effective responses from world leaders for the climate crisis. climate displaced.
In Honduras, communities displaced by violence face additional challenges due to recurring climate disasters. In 2022, Pakistan saw 8 million people displaced due to flooding, also affecting thousands of Afghan refugees. Somalia faces its worst drought in 40 years, which has forced more than 1 million people to emigrate, many of them crossing to Ethiopia and Kenya.
In 2023, tropical storms and cyclones in Mozambique They forced tens of thousands to move. These situations show that extreme climate events continue to be a significant threat to refugees and internally displaced persons, who are already in a vulnerable situation.
UNHCR Argentina Foundation invites the population to raise their voices and join the Blue Ponchos for the Climate through the site ponchosazules.orgto participate in the fight against climate change during the COP29. This event, which begins on November 11, seeks to bring together global efforts to confront this climate and humanitarian emergency.
The UNHCR Argentina Foundation works to inform and raise awareness about the needs of refugees and raise funds to support refugee efforts. UNHCRthe UN Refugee Agency. UNHCR It is funded entirely through voluntary contributions and is present in more than 130 countries, providing vital assistance and protecting fundamental human rights.
UNHCR Argentina Foundation and UNHCR They urgently call on the international community to take immediate action against climate change, in support of the millions of displaced people around the world. (Attention, Infobae editorial team: this text has no source).
