WFP and IFRC join forces to strengthen response to anticipated climate shocks in MENA

WFP and IFRC join forces to strengthen response to anticipated climate shocks in MENA

DUBAI –The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) today signed a regional Memorandum of Understanding to support joint advocacy, capacity development, and resource mobilization for the coordinated national level implementation of anticipatory action in response to climate shocks in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The signing took place at the conclusion of an event, “Road to COP27: Anticipatory Action Milestones and Way Forward in MENA”, that was hosted by the International Humanitarian City (IHC), Dubai, United Arab Emirates and attended by high-level speakers and representatives from the UAE government, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, WFP, IFRC, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and national societies, regional and international humanitarian organisations including UNDRR, FAO, Start Network, REAP.

The event emphasized the ongoing importance of acting early ahead of climate-related disasters, through anticipatory action. Anticipatory is action is effective way of mitigating the worst consequences of predictable climate risks, which are expected to become more frequent and intense because of climate change and conflict in the MENA region.

“In a region where climate hazards such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves are increasing humanitarian needs, anticipatory action aims to reduce or