Sierra Leone: UNDP Ends Workshop On Climate Change Adaptation

AllAfrica
By Patrick J. Kamara, 17 September 2012

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United Nations Development Programme UNDP in partnership with the Global Environment Facility GEF and the Government of Sierra Leone has ended the second phase of the project inception workshop on early warning on climate change adaption in the country.

The workshop which was hosted at the Shangri La conference hall on Lumley Beach Road with the theme "Strengthening climate information and early warning system in western and central Africa for climate resilient development and adaption to climate change in Sierra Leone," brought together representatives from the GEF focal point, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, Disaster Management Office at the Office of National Security ONS among others.

Speaking at the gathering, Deputy Country Director of UNDP, Mohamed Abchir, noted that the workshop is timely as climate change has been a concern all over the world. He said climate change and disaster management are two issues of the same effect and that his organisation will continue to support the project immensely.

He maintained that 30% of the country's population depend on agriculture for their survival even though it is considered by many as the mainstay of the Sierra Leone economy.

"We are committed to work with GEF and the government to ensure that we make early preparation to adapt to climate change in the country as Sierra Leone is considered as one of the poorest among the 148 United Nations countries. As a result of weather condition, many Sierra Leoneans have lost their lives," he said.

GEF operational focal point person, Dr. Kolleh Bangura, stated that his organisation spent over $64 million in the last response to climate change and that it has over US$8 million in store for further developmental programmes in the country. The GEF project is a funding mechanism that looks at immediate cause of climate change.