Climate change presents a crisis beyond those that the existing humanitarian system has previously experienced, or is designed to address. It is already significantly increasing humanitarian needs, and the coming decade will see a transition to much higher levels of disaster impact than those we are currently seeing. Yet, there is limited understanding on what to do to adapt to climate disasters on the ground, and little relevant guidance for humanitarian practitioners.

Despite this, a number of organisations are experimenting with approaches designed to address the realities of climate change. Activities range along the disaster management spectrum, from reinforcing household and community resilience, through hazard-specific DRR activities related to humanitarian infrastructure, to preparedness and anticipatory response.

To this end, the 86th issue of the Humanitarian Exchange magazine will highlight lessons from climate-related programming from local, national and international organisations. This edition will be launched during the first week of HNPW, with a panel highlighting several of the authors from the issue.

Format

·Plenary discussion with 3-4 authors of articles from the 86th issue of the Humanitarian Exchange.

·After a brief introduction by the moderator, each panelist will be invited to give a 5-8 minute intervention on the topic.

·This will be followed by Q&A session with the moderator and audience.

Speakers

·Introduction: Kerrie Holloway (HPN)

·Moderators: Paul Knox Clarke (ADAPT)

·Potential speakers:

oWomankind Kenya, ‘The case of women and climate change in northern Kenya’

o AIDMI, ‘Humanitarian action and adaptation to climate change in India’

oICRC, ‘Reducing people’s vulnerability to climate risks and environmental degradation in conflict-affected Niger’

oAchyut Luitel, Practical Action Nepal, ‘Climate change: a decade of innovation in DRR and building resilience’