Climate change is responsible for the majority of humanitarian disasters in the World. Climate change increases people’s exposure to disasters and their vulnerability determines their fate. This year, World Humanitarian Day (WHD) highlights the immediate human cost of the climate crisis by pressuring world leaders to take meaningful climate action for the world’s most vulnerable people.

Caritas Institute of Development Action and Learning (CIDAL) of Caritas India organized a webinar on Climate action in solidarity with people on 19th August 2022 over a virtual platform to commemorate World Humanitarian Day 2022. The webinar was attended by 130 participants from across Asia. The proceeding started with a prayer led by Ms. M Shimray of Caritas India. The webinar was moderated by Mr. Pradipta Kishor Chand, Lead Climate Adaptive Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Caritas India.

“This year is dedicated to #TheHumanRace, which is the global challenge for climate action in solidarity with people who need it the most; and to put the needs of climate-vulnerable people front and centre at the UN climate summit (COP26),” shared Fr. (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, the Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India. He was sharing the significance of World Humanitarian Day and the contribution of the front-line responders and the community that contributes to saving lives in the event of any humanitarian crisis. He said, anyone and everyone can be a humanitarian, so read on to learn more about the day and how you can help. Stand in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable people by using these hashtags in our social media activities #TheHumanRace #WorldHumanitarianDay.

“I salute the humanitarian workers who have contributed to the peace and welfare of the country,” shared Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely, Executive Director of Caritas India in his key message. He added that WHD 2022 is a wake-up call for solidarity for the human race affected by the Humanitarian crisis. Let us all together resolve to be part of this campaign that is being advocated by the UN Secretary-General, a campaign for the Human Race. Sharing about the humanitarian crisis he said, more than ever, human history is marked the unformidable humanitarian challenges. The humanitarian crisis varies widely in nature and settings, but they will be characterised by the affected populations, especially the vulnerable communities and experiencing violence and vulnerability, Displacements, Loss of dear and near one, Food scarcity and increased exposure to communicable diseases. He insisted strongly to invest in communities to build social capital and mobilise communities as first responders to build their resilience. He mentioned about disaster clinic model developed by Caritas India to equip the local communities and people as the first responders and build collective entrepreneurship and enterprises.

Representing Caritas Internationalis, Ms. Moira Monacelli the Director of Operations congratulated all the Caritas member organisations, Caritas federation and fraternities around the world and humanitarian workers for protecting and promoting human dignity and accompanying the poor in need. She also highlighted the humanitarian situation at the global level which is resulting in the suffering of people including the Russia and Ukraine War, the Covid Pandemic, and the food crisis due to poor economic situations.  She mentioned how in these difficult situations, Caritas humanitarian workers are working with the community to develop their capacities and resilience to cope with the situation. Not only the Humanitarian work but Caritas is also engaged in promoting sustainable development and peacebuilding and social relationship.

Dr. T V Sajeev, the Registrar & Chief Scientist at Kerala Forest Research Institute in his sharing highlighted the dynamic relationship between ecosystem people and development. He mentioned the impact of climate change is greater for ecosystem people like people living on the coast or forest who are dependent on water or nature for their survival. He also mentioned their knowledge system which is very unique and authentic based on their research but unfortunately, it is not recorded. In a climate change scenario, the ecosystem people are not able to cope because it is so frequent. He raised an important issue of displacement of these ecosystem people or indigenous people who have been forced out to live away from their natural habitat and in this process, their knowledge system is vanishing.

Dr. Joachim Schmerbeck, a forestry specialist from Germany shared his thoughts on the Human and Nature & the opportunities. He said nature does not know to suffer, and no volcano will erupt because somebody will suffer. We must learn to join and deal with this. Humanitarian workers and institutions are the keys, and we have power on our own behaviour. He insisted to built the capacities to reduce/avoid conflicts, and need people who can guide us. Humanitarian workers do more than just rescue and recovery. In the case of Climate Change, we change our environment, we are causing big and profound changes. This affects human life and well-being at least for someday. Humanitarian crisis will be inevitable and hence we need to be prepared. Let us do what nature does since the beginning. React to and grow with challenges. We have the capacity to cope with the difficulties of the world.

Co-Founder of RIKA & RIKA Institute, Keiro University, Japan Dr. Ranit Chatterjee shared the Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction. His expertise lies in Integrated Risk Management, Disaster Response, and Feasibility Studies. Dr. Ranit shared that cities are the living labs for innovations in DRR. Living labs are the real-life environment where various stakeholders from public-private people partnerships (4Ps) take part in live lab activities. Combine various approaches, instruments, methods, concepts, conceptualisations and tools to test solutions. He said 68% population living in urban centres by 2050 which can lead to uncertainties like disruption in service delivery, degrading quality of life, inequality, and conflicts. Maximum cities will have rapid urbanisation which can lead to an increase in the severity and frequency of natural hazards, resource overuse and depletion and degradation of urban spaces. 1980 onwards Cities have been experimenting and evolving like smart city, ECO city, Slim City, Sponge city green city and many others. He also mentioned the involvement of RIKA in disaster risk reduction, climate change and sustainable development.

Mr. Ray Kancharla, an expert in DRR appreciated the panellists stimulating and challenging inputs. He said he is thrilled by their presentation and delighted to be part of the discussion.  We are focusing on climate action and solidarity with people. The harshest reality is that in day-to-day life we are facing a humanitarian crisis and the poorest of the poor are more threatened.   This change is impacting the planet’s environment – which is everything natural around us; rivers, trees, plants, animals… everything. He expresses his willingness to see how youth can be instrumental in changing this climate emergency and how to address the vulnerability of climate oppression.

Ms. Pooja Rana of Caritas India facilitated the open forum in the webinar. In discussing the humanitarian crisis, it was informed that the next generation of leaders needs to be aware of the possible risk. Equip the next generation with necessary tools (access to Government funds, intensive approach). It is important to create ownership because it is the only earth where we live. Ms Tanuja of Caritas India expressed a vote of thanks and concluded the webinar.