29 May 2008: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Japan announced a new $92 million initiative to help Africa adapt to global warming.
Olav Kjorven, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of Bureau for Development Policy cautioned that “as a result of climate change, many African countries will experience increased water scarcity and worsened health and food security,” and stressed that global warming threatens economic and social progress. Of the US$92 million, US$11 million will be allocated to projects in collaboration with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). [UN Press release, 29 May 2008]