USAID, NRCS Launch Climate Adaptation Project

The United States Agency for International Development, USAID with the support of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, NRCS, has launched a Locally- Led Climate Adaptation Project to address the evolving impact of the changing climate.

At the launch in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Lawal underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for full implementation of the program in Nigeria.

Nigeria, much like many other nations, grapples with the impact of climate change, including floods, extreme temperatures, and droughts among other challenges.

With the launch of the USAID-funded project titled “Scaling up Locally-Led Adaptation and Transforming Humanitarian Responses to Climate Changes,” the project will engage and empower communities at the grassroots in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.

The Minister who was represented by the Director of, the Department of Climate Change, Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, said Nigeria has put in place measures to mitigate the effect of the changing climate in the country.

According to him, Nigeria will continue to do its part in the global fight against climate change.

Speaking on the role of the Nigeria Red Cross Society, President of the Society, NRCS Mr. Oluwayemisi Adeaga Adetayo explained that with over 800,000 volunteers, the NRSC would play a crucial role in providing disaster preparedness and response training, community education on climate resilience, and offering humanitarian assistance during climate-related emergencies.

On his part, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, IFRC, Regional Climate Change, Mr. Patrick Ole Twala stressed the critical role of community-driven initiatives in addressing climate challenges and the need for Committees to actively participate in mitigating the effect of climate change.

The five-year USAID Locally-Led Adaptation project in Nigeria is a call to action emphasizing the transformative potential of collective commitment and mobilizing individuals and communities to actively contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable future.

By Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji