2 December 2008: The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the humanitarian implications of climate change.
The campaign also calls for improved disaster preparedness and response measures in countries that suffer most from extreme weather events.
According to OCHA, while many view climate change […]
![A boy whose house was destroyed by Cyclone Nargis that hit Myanmar in May 2008 watches an approaching storm. [Photo: UNICEF/Adam Dean]](http://hub.iisd.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/unicef_foto5.jpg)
2 December 2008: The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the humanitarian implications of climate change.
The campaign also calls for improved disaster preparedness and
response measures in countries that suffer most from extreme weather
events. According to OCHA, while many view climate change as a future
threat, humanitarians face its impact now. Over the last 20 years, the
number of recorded disasters has doubled from about 200 to over 400 per
year. UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency
Relief Coordinator, John Holmes, said the campaign calls for a
“systemic shift of attention, resources and expertise to improve
disaster preparedness.” [UN Press Release] [Campaign Website]