10/11/2021 - PfR's Autumn Newsletter is out!
For PfR's external newsletter, Autumn 2021 edition, click here
While COVID-19 is still dominating the news, a series of events that happened over the past couple of months reminded us of the ongoing climate crisis, with raging fires, prolonged droughts, and devastating floods that affected many lives and livelihoods around the globe. Close to home disaster struck, when last July the rivers and streams in the Eifel and Ardennes mountains of western Germany and Belgium were swollen by extreme rainfall. They brought havoc and exposed vulnerabilities that had been overlooked for many years. If COP26 in Glasgow ever needed attention, the above disasters have definitely helped to underscore the importance of urgent climate action. Partners for Resilience, together with other organizations and networks, continues to support the implementation of international climate agreements, as well as those for disaster risk reduction and environmental protection, and helps governments to meet commitments in their National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) – ensuring nobody is left behind.
Increasingly, the alliance members find opportunities for collaboration and for complementing each other’s work. Although the Netherlands Government-funded lobby and advocacy programme has ended, other initiatives and collaborations continue. Our work with UN-Environment to develop models for eco-system based disaster risk reduction remains highly relevant and continues for at least another year; it develops good and scalable models to boost impact. In Africa, we have joined hands with IFRC and the African Union Commission on strengthening the African Climate Change Strategy, including validation workshops with member states.
Another shining example is the Climate Bill in Uganda: after years of PfR lobby and advocacy the Bill has been approved, followed last April by a corresponding Act. These results, together with the ongoing actions of the many organizations and people who have been involved in PfR for the last ten years, form the PfR legacy that keeps expanding.
As PfR continues its work along new avenues, my work for the Red Cross also continues in a new setting: last September I have joined the IFRC in Geneva, as Director Digital Transformation. Within PfR we have come to realise the importance of data, from understanding vulnerability to take long-term measures to prevent disasters, to having early warning information to take early action when disasters have struck. Data analytics and digital technology are essential to increase relevance, speed, quality, reach, scale and sustainability of our humanitarian services. In my new role I look forward to continue to contribute to better and more timely preparedness, both by the organizations that make up the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as well as its partners, and to take adequate measures to reduce the impact of disasters.
This is not a ‘goodbye’ but an ‘au revoir’. As PfR’s network continues to strengthenen people’s resilience I am certain our paths will cross again. In my final contribution to PfR’s newsletter I would like to finish by thanking you all very much for your efforts and great collaboration over the years. I am wishing you all the best in the work you are doing to make this world a better and safer place for all.
With kind regards,
Juriaan Lahr
