WWF-UK and the British Red Cross have announced a groundbreaking partnership which will see two leading UK charities working with communities in Kenya to combat the effects of climate change using the power of nature.
The collaboration will see the organisations combine efforts on projects supporting communities in coastal Lamu County at risk from droughts, floods and water shortages. By working alongside local people to restore natural ecosystems, the partnership aims to build resilience and reduce the impact of future climate and weather-related emergencies.
For example, by working to restore the Southern Swamp mangrove forest, the partnership aims not only to protect a critical wildlife habitat, but also to preserve a powerful means of soaking up planet-warming CO2, and to create a natural defence against damaging floods, storms and cyclones.
And by supporting community groups to plant trees in the area around Lake Kenyatta in the east of Lamu County, they plan to prevent soil erosion and nutrient leaching, contributing to the protection of a vital source of fresh water.
The delivery of the projects will be led at a local level by WWF-Kenya and the Kenya Red Cross, supported by WWF-UK and the British Red Cross. The partnership will benefit from £1m in funds raised thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery and awarded by Postcode Planet Trust.
Kenya faces severe threats as a result of climate change – a situation which experts say is set to worsen in coming years. Around 6.5m people in the country are currently affected by drought each year, a number forecast to rise in the future to over 18.7m Kenyans.
Meanwhile, floods affect an average of 75,000 people each year, with rising sea levels expected to threaten thousands more by the end of the decade.
And in a country where 60% of the population works in agriculture, climate change is making it increasingly difficult to keep livestock and grow staple crops like cassava, wheat and sweet potatoes, posing threats to both livelihoods and food supplies.
Béatrice Butsana-Sita, Chief Executive Officer of the British Red Cross said: “Working with nature can be one of the most effective ways to help communities build resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges. By combining the Red Cross’ longstanding experience supporting people to prepare for and respond to climate-related emergencies with WWF-UK’s expertise in protecting our environment, we will be able to make a real difference to people facing some of the greatest risks as a result of climate change.”
Tanya Steele, Chief Executive at WWF-UK, said: “Our partnership with the British Red Cross exemplifies how we can unite to restore and protect our natural world, ensuring it can continue to thrive and safeguard humanity’s future. Now is the time for bold, collective action to harness the power of nature to save lives, improve livelihoods and restore nature.”
Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Funding raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery is making a tangible difference in tackling some of the most pressing global challenges of our time. This partnership between WWF-UK and the British Red Cross demonstrates the power of collaboration to address the crises of climate change and nature loss. By supporting innovative, nature-based solutions in Kenya, our players are helping to create a more resilient future for communities and the environment they depend on.”
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