Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene November 2018 Vol.13 No.5 | Page 9

NEWS in brief
Global Highlights
UNDP Chief says clock ticking on climate action reconstruction is resilient and community-led.
New York - UNDP
Administrator Achim Steiner
joined the chorus for climate
change action following the
release of a UN report that
delivers a warning on warming
temperatures. “On Friday I visited the city of Palu in Sulawesi with His
Excellency Vice President Kalla. It is humbling to see
the devastation and hear the stories of those who have
been affected”, said World Bank Chief Executive Officer,
Kristalina Georgieva. “The Government’s immediate
relief efforts are robust and impressive. As we enter the
reconstruction phase we are making up to $1 billion of
comprehensive support available for Indonesia. The best
memorial to those who lost their lives is build back better.”
“The latest IPCC
(Intergovernmental Panel on
Achim Steiner
Climate Change) report provides
a stark reminder of what it
would take to keep temperature increase below 1.5 degrees
Celsius and avoid some of the more dangerous scenarios
of climate change. Bottom line: it can be done, but we
have almost run out of time,” Steiner said.
The special report from IPCC, released Monday 8
October, made the case for urgent action around the
world to keep global warming to within a 1.5-degree
Celsius increase, or face more frequent and more
powerful weather events, and a worsening quality of life
for millions of people.
The World Bank package could include cash transfers to
the poorest 150,000 affected families for a period between
6 months to one year. This augmentation of existing
social protection systems is designed to support the local
economy and employment during the recovery phase and
to avoid long-term damage to human capital.
Within 10-30 years, the report indicates, world
temperatures could rise by more than 3 degrees. This
could lead to an exacerbation of poverty, and the most
vulnerable will be the hardest hit by effects of rising
sea-levels, increased droughts, flash floods and extreme
weather.
The report indicates that by minimizing the temperature
rise to half a degree by 2050, several hundred million
fewer people will be exposed to risk and will be less
susceptible to falling into poverty.
While the outlook is dire, Steiner says action can make a
difference. He said that UNDP continues to work with
partners to support countries to make the move toward
sustainable development, while curbing rising tides.
World Bank Announces $1bn Assistance for
Indonesia Natural Disaster Recovery and
Preparedness
Saudi Arabia and Jordan have signed a memorandum
oNUSA DUA, Bali, Indonesia, October 14, 2018—The
World Bank has announced funding of up to $1 billion
for the Government of Indonesia to supplement relief
and reconstruction efforts in the disaster-affected areas
of Lombok and Sulawesi, and to bolster long-term
resilience.
The funding will be available on request by the
Government. It would be guided by a US$5 million grant
for technical assistance for detailed planning to ensure
Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene • November 2018
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