Initiative to mitigate the effects of climate change on food insecurity launched
The tree-planting initiative aims to contribute to the protection, management and restoration of forests.
The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) Southern Africa Cluster officially launched the Pan African Tree Planting #IFRC10Million initiative recently in Daveyton.
The launch took place at the Heald Day Care Centre in Daveyton, in collaboration with the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS).
The IFRC made a bold pledge to plant and maintain 25 000 trees across the area as part of phase one, making the first contribution to the 10 million tree goal for the region.
Head of IFRC Dr Michael Adekunle Charles said: “Communities in Africa have been some of the hardest hit by the effects of climate change. As we work on the ground, we see the worsening proof as communities become more food insecure.
After #COP26, we saw that many of the climate challenges faced on the continent remain unresolved. This is a huge blow to communities that urgently need change. The only way forward is for us to take this climate change bull by the horns and finally come together to tackle this fight. The IFRC has chosen to take this responsibility seriously as we roll out the first phase of our climate mitigation initiatives.”
To execute this initiative, the IFRC chose a multiphase approach to ensure proper implementation and maintenance in each area for phase one, before moving on to the next location in Phase two.
The next phase will be rolled out next year in Botswana and will continue throughout Southern Africa.
The tree-planting initiative aims to contribute to the protection, management and restoration of forests while at the same time addressing the drivers of food insecurity in southern African communities.
Southern Africa has experienced an increase in the frequency and severity of heatwaves over the years caused by changes in regional climate patterns. The number of people suffering from climate change-induced food insecurity has increased by over 45% since 2012.
Following the #COP26, the IFRC has developed further responses to the climate crisis through its ambitious goal to plant 10 million trees throughout southern Africa by 2030.
Trees will be planted around local schools, community centres and Red Cross properties, in the effort to spread the message on the importance of tree conservation while providing for communities’ nutritional needs.
