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NEPAD to support Togo on Biosafety Regulatory Frameworks

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The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has pledged Togo on regulatory frameworks in the area of the advancement of science, technology and innovation in the country.

Prof. Aggrey Ambali. Photo credit: nepad.org
Prof. Aggrey Ambali. Photo credit: nepad.org

A high-level advocacy team led by Prof. Aggrey Ambali, who represented the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NEPAD Agency and the Michigan State University, expressed the availability of NEPAD Agency to support the work that is being done in Togo to advance science, technology and innovation.

The team encouraged Togo authorities to work towards the adoption of the revised biosafety laws in order to allow Togolese scientists to properly carry out research as well as safely use new technologies to address development challenges in the country.

Ministers from the ministries of Environment, Agriculture and Higher Education and Scientific Research met with the NEPAD team to discuss what needs to be done in order to activate the process of adoption of the revised biosafety law by the National Assembly of Togo.

Responding, the Ministers commended the team, particularly NEPAD Agency for the initiative to build capacity of Togolese regulators as well as the roles being played by the Agency to support the country, especially in agricultural development and capacity building areas.

It could be recalled that Togo signed the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in July 2004 and passed a biosafety law in January 2009. Togo was also the fifth African country to sign the Nagoya Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress in September 2011. This paved the way for the revision of the “Loi N°2009-001 du 06 janvier 2009 portant Prévention des Risques Biotechnologiques au Togo”.

Also, NEPAD Agency – the African Biosafety Network of Expertise (ABNE) provided technical and material support to local consultants to review the investor-unfriendly biosafety law. The draft revised biosafety law was successfully completed in 2013. A stakeholders’ meeting was organised in 2014 to validate the revised draft, with technical support from the Network.

According to NEPAD, the draft revised bill, including the implementing regulations, are ready for submission to the Parliament.

By Abdallah el-Kurebe

Preparation of Biennial Update Report starts, National Policy document launched

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Following the granting of an approval and financial support by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Nigeria has commenced the preparation of her Biennial Update Report (BUR), which is regarded as one of the centerpieces of the global mitigation architecture for the upcoming 2015 new climate agreement in Paris.

Biennial Update Report, Nigeria, climate change, Paris 2015, National Policy on Climate Change. Photo credit: http://newngrguardiannewscom.c.presscdn.com/
Mrs Nana Fatima Mede. Photo credit: newngrguardiannewscom.c.presscdn.com/

BURs are national documents to be prepared and submitted every two years to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), taking into account the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission level of all sectors of the economy, such as energy, oil and gas, transportation and agriculture, among others.

At a project initiation workshop held on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 in Abuja, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEv), Mrs Nana Fatima Mede, stated that the BUR constitutes an essential component of the National Communication (NC) under the UNFCCC, the preparation of which is designed to bridge the information gaps on GHG inventory in-between the country’s NCs.

She said: “The project initiation workshop affords stakeholders the knowledge of what Nigeria is to report in terms of emission of GHGs and where each stakeholder will be required to supply relevant information needed to prepare the Report.”

At the gathering she formally unveiled the National Policy on Climate Change which, according to her, “the Ministry developed to act as a guide in the national implementation in climate change activities. The implementation is cross-cutting in that it involves all sectors.”

Director, Department of Climate Change in the Ministry, Dr Samuel Adejuwon, traced the genesis of the BUR, saying that it was adopted in 2010/COP16 for the purpose of enhancing reporting of mitigation actions, their effects and support received in the NC. Then, in 2011/COP17, non-Annex1 Parties under the UNFCCC adopted the guidelines for BUR and the submission of BURs every two years was decided, he added.

According to him, the BUR is an Obligation to non-Annex1 Parties under the UNFCCC to prepare and submit every two years, reliable, comprehensive and transparent reporting from the National Communication.

He listed its objectives to include:

  • To facilitate understanding of current levels of global emissions as well as the ambition of existing efforts to combat climate change, at both the national and international levels.
  • To enhance reporting in national communications, including inventories, from non-Annex I Parties on mitigation actions and their effects, needs and support received
  • To serve as an input to the process (international consultation and analysis) that aims to increase transparency of mitigation actions and their effects.

His words: “National GHG Inventory year captured in any BUR should not be more than four years; that is, if a country wants to submit its BUR in 2015, the inventory year should be from 2011 upwards.

“The GEF has a ‘set aside’ resources for NCs and BURs, such that countries can access up to $500,000 for NC and $352,000 for BURs.”

Group flays poor environmental practices in Niger Delta community

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Prime Initiative for Green Development (PIGD), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has drawn the attention of government and that of development partners to the urgent need to help address the deteriorating condition in Azubie Okujagu, a small coastline community in Rivers State, Niger Delta region, which is currently undergoing various challenges that are attributed to poor industrial and environmental practices.

Members of PIGD and representatives of Azubie Okujagu community during a recent advocacy visit
Members of PIGD and representatives of Azubie Okujagu community during a recent advocacy visit

Established to help eradicate environmental hazards, champion the concept of sustainable development and mainstream human rights into national development initiatives, the group highlighted challenges requiring attention to improve livelihoods in the village, located in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of the state, to include access to clear drinking water, incessant pollution and poor waste management system.

Pitiable ecological activities including oil spillage across the Niger Delta region have continued to threaten sources and standards of living, particularly the ecosystem where they are carried out and consequently constitute ecocide.

A scientific study released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2011 revealed large-scale, continued contamination of the water and soil in the Niger Delta region, and the threat posed to human health. In one case, UNEP found that a community drinking well was polluted with benzene, a potentially carcinogenic substance, at levels 900 times above World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

Executive director of PIGD, ThankGod Uzomah, who made this call during an advocacy visit with members of his team to the vulnerable community, described the situation faced by residents of the area as highly pathetic, in-human and tantamount to modern day slavery.

To effectively tackle and eradicate the aforementioned epidemic, according to him, there is conscious need for intervention and re-designing of the community’s development plan.

“From PIGD’s observation, we can deduce that Azubie Okujagu is truly in need of urgent intervention in areas such as provision of potable water, environmental re-engineering and provision of basic infrastructural amenities,” he said. “Therefore, we are calling on reputable international organisations and government to ameliorate their situation.”

Also commenting, chairman of Azubie Okujagu Community Development Committee (CDC), Precious Okujagu, while elaborating on the matter lamented at the level of negligence and lack of basic amenities to protect and cushion the aftermath of unsafe environmental practices in the area.

The community developer disclosed that inhabitants of the settlement have being enduring this problem for over three decades, experiencing severe hardship during raining season when sea rise usually occur.

“The only access to water is through bore-hole and these bore-holes have to be drilled to the depth of over 150-200ft to access good water,” he said, ascribing it to the saline water condition in the community.

Other members who added their voices to canvass assistance urged stakeholders, especially government, to rapidly embark on a massive clean-up exercise of the contaminated waters to restore aquatic life mostly fishing, a major source of economic driver in the area.

By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja

Flood: Lagos urges residents to relocate to safe areas

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Oluwatoyin Awosika, the Director of Public Enlightenment, Lagos State Ministry of Information, on Friday urged residents living on flood-prone areas to relocate to safe locations.
floodAwosika told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the ministry had commenced sensitisation of the affected residents to change their attitudes in order to avert flood disasters.
He said the state spent huge resources to make refuse collection cheap and affordable, adding that measures were already in place to relocate residents in case of flood disaster.
He said: “People would tell you all sorts of things.
“The water is flowing, they dump everything there, but it is going to block somewhere.
“So what happens?
“The water will fight back into homes.
“At night they cross the roads to dump refuse into the drains and on the highways.
“Government is always very careful.
“If you force people out now, they would tell you where do you want to relocate them to.
“Government doesn’t have the house to relocate.
“If there is a flood disaster, we would move them to the Imota and the Egbeda resettlement areas.
“So, you can’t say you are going to push them there until the rain leaves.
“So the best is to advice (them) to evacuate.
“It is not easy sincerely.
“Where are they going?
“Are they going to rent new apartments and then come back when the rains have stopped?
“So government is to continue to sensitise you to the dangers.
“Why we are telling you to relocate is that if a serious flood comes, you are now giving the excuses of money and this, lives would go.
“You cannot buy the lives.
“Your property gone.
“You cannot replace most of them.
“So it is better you try to relocate.
“Our own is to continue to hit the mindset, attitudinal mindset.
“That is all we continue to do.
“People change; we keep showing the documentaries for people see how the drains are blocked.
“What happens, how they de-flood, hit the road, spoil houses, everything.”
NAN reports that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency had predicted heavy rains and possible flooding in 2015.
NIMET has advised people living on flood plains to relocate to safe areas.
NAN.

Why we can’t give mortgage loans to NHF contributors – FMBN

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The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria said on Friday that the monthly contributions to the National Housing Fund (NHF) by civil servants were inadequate to guarantee full and prompt access to the fund by contributors.
FMBN Managing Director, Gimba Ya’u Kumo
FMBN Managing Director, Gimba Ya’u Kumo

The FMBN’s Managing Director, Gimba Ya’u Kumo, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.

Kumo urged the Federal Government to intervene in order to enhance more access to the fund by the contributors.
He said the FMBN needed adequate funds and support to enhance its services.
He said: “It is so because if you look at the NHF today, we have over four million contributors into the scheme, but if you look at the size of contribution, it is 2.5 per cent of their salaries.
“The total contribution is not enough to even give 100,000 contributors.
“That is why we have been complaining that we need Federal Government’s intervention.
“And the analysis runs this way: it means 250 contributors, contributing to the scheme for 10 years for one person to be able to access N15 million.
“And the Act provided that apart from the contributions the bank receives from the contributors to the scheme, government is supposed to be intervening on yearly basis.”
Kumo also said commercial banks that were supposed to deposit 10 per cent of their loan portfolio to the scheme were not doing so.
He said: “The Nigerian banks are supposed to be depositing 10 per cent of their loan portfolio to the scheme, but these had not been done over the years.
“Similarly the insurance companies have been mandated to contribute a certain percentage of their life funds and non-life funds, that’s policies 25 and 20 per cent, but these have not been done.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria that has almost 40 per cent of their shares in the bank since 2006 has not paid that shares, but (we) have been following up.
“I am happy that the government is putting in place funding for the bank and when that is done, we can see what we can do for Nigerians.”
Kumo commended the plans by the present administration to put in place funding for the bank, adding: “When t’his is done, Nigerians will benefit immensely.
“The issue is that 17 million (housing) deficits, the FMBN alone or Federal Government alone cannot meet up with that requirement.
“If you look at the new government policy to build one million houses every year, if that is done, it means that it will take government and other developers the next 17 years to close the existing deficit.
“And deficit continues to grow.
“So I think the housing situation is beyond the ordinary man’s comprehension because if we don’t intervene, we will be in the crisis situation in the next 15 to 20 years.”
Kumo said the population of the Federal Capital Territory in the past five to 10 years was not more than two million, but presently FCT had over seven million people.
He added: “So the houses available have been overstretched, facilities have been overstretched, transportation has been overstretched, including security issues.
“I believe with the steps to be taken by government now, we will soon feel the impact of the new housing policy.”
NAN.

‘Cholesterol in egg prevents heart disease, breast cancer’

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Stakeholders in poultry farming on Friday gathered to mark the World Egg Day to promote consumption of one-egg-per-day, saying cholesterol in egg prevents heart disease, breast cancer.
egg-yolkThe stakeholders included farmers, students, markets and egg merchants.
They expressed the belief that an egg has many nutritional benefits like protein, vitamins, and cholesterol, which can reduce the risks of heart diseases.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the programme was organised by the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter in collaboration with Novus Nigeria Limited.
The theme of the programme, held in Lagos, was: “Benefits of Eating One Egg a Day by the Nigerian Child.”
Speaking at the event, Oba Tijani Akinloye, the traditional ruler of Ajiran, highlighted the benefits of eating egg.
Akinloye, therefore, expressed his support for the government’s plan to introduce a meal per day in schools.
The Oba, who is also a poultry farmer, expressed the readiness of farmers in his area to produce eggs that would meet local demand for the one-egg-per-day project.
He said: “Nigeria is blessed with the resources to provide a child with a plate of food, which will include an egg.
“There is no food with protein that does not have cholesterol.
“An egg in every diet is the road to good health that will keep the doctor away.”
The royal father suggested four eggs per week for primary school pupils and six eggs per week for secondary students.
“That way, we are building a healthy Nigeria and poultry farmers are ready to work,” Akinloye said.
The monarch said he has been taking an egg daily since 1982 when he started his poultry farm.
Also speaking, Dr. Olajide Basorun, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, said the state presently produces about 500,000 eggs daily.
According to Basorun, the state has several poultry farms in Epe, Imota and Agbowa.
Basorun, who was represented Taye Amore, said the state was working hard to expand and increase egg production.
He said: “We have realised the importance of egg consumption and that is why we are part of the programme of the Federal Government’s one egg and meal per day initiative.
“With the scarcity of egg presently, poultry farmers should take the advantage and expand their farms and do more businesses in egg production.
“This will promote food security and healthy living at the same time.”
Dr. Olawumi Funso, an agriculture expert, said the cholesterol in egg was capable of reducing the cholesterol produced by the liver, which was dangerous to health.
Funso said: “Eggs provide the solution to a healthy living.
“Millions of Nigerian children are malnourished because they lack necessary nutrients.
“Egg is one of the most affordable solutions to problems associated with vitamins A, B2, B12, D, Folate, protein, selenium, choline and iodine.
“So, egg is an important vitamin pill for all ages both old and young.”
Funso was a Senior Assistant on Agriculture to former Governor Babatunde Fasola of Lagos State.
NAN reports that the World Egg Day was initiated by the International Egg Commission in order to promote nature’s vitamin pill, the egg.
Nigeria is one of seven African countries that celebrates WED every second Friday in October.
NAN.

One out of every six people in Africa suffers mental disorder – WHO

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Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa,on Friday said one out of every six people in the African continent suffers mental disorder.
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. Photo credit: pbs.twimg.com
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. Photo credit: pbs.twimg.com

This was contained in a press statement issued in Abuja by Charity Ahrey, the Communications Officer of WHO, to commemorate the World Mental Health Day.

The statement said the theme of this year’s commemoration: “Dignity in mental health,” was aimed at drawing attention to the crucial need of mental health patients, adding that they required to be treated with dignity.
It urged the Federal Government to improve on mental healthcare by tackling discrimination through individual and community initiatives.
Moeti said: “I appeal to governments and partners to improve mental health by tackling discrimination through individual and community initiatives, as well as strengthen national programmes, policies and legislative measures.
“Intensified support from partners, civil society and donors, as well as strengthening the capacity of healthcare providers will contribute immensely towards addressing this growing problem in the communities and in the region.
“Mental health patients deserve respect and compassion while they cope with the disease.
“In the African region, it is estimated that one out of every six people suffers from some form of mental disorder, unfortunately, in the course of treatment, some patients are subjected to undignified treatment.”
The statement said patients were deprived of food for many hours, deprived from family support and inadequate personal hygiene.
It also noted that some countries in the African region had implemented a range of measures to improve awareness, restore dignity and access to mental health services at all levels of their healthcare.
It said: “Some countries have started the revision of their mental health legislation in order to protect the rights and dignity of persons affected by the condition.
“Despite these measures, the promotion of good mental health and understanding of its challenges, together with early detection, treatment and dignity for the patients are still a concern in many countries of the region.”
The statement, however, decried the fact that there was lack of trained and motivated personnel in the area of mental health and psychiatry, which it said needed urgent attention.
Moeti, in the statement, however, reaffirmed the support of WHO towards governments and stakeholders by providing the needed technical support to address and restore dignity in mental health.
NAN.

19m children blind globally – Opthamologist

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An ophthalmologist, Dr. Jaiyeola Adido, has said about 19 million children are blind globally.
eye-surgery-Nigeria3Adido, who disclosed to newsmen in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Saturday, noted that children and the aged were usually vulnerable to eye diseases in Nigeria.
He identified cataract, glaucoma and diabetes as major causes of blindness world over. He emphasised the need for people to always have balanced diets to save them from visual impairment.
Adido advised Nigerians to constantly check up their eyes to ensure early detection and treatment of ailments that could lead to blindness.
He counseled Nigerians to shun superstitious beliefs associated with blindness, stressing that the situation was largely responsible for the escalation of blindness in the country.
Adido identified the inability of children to copy note in school as a refractive error, which he noted could be corrected with the prescribed eye glasses.
NAN.

ERA/FoEN, groups accuse Wilmar of land grab in Cross River

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The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), civil society groups and communities impacted by oil palm companies in Cross River State have described as worrisome, the influx of oil palm companies in the state and their expansion activities which they have described as “land grab in its most brazen form.”

Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo of ERA/FoEN
Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo of ERA/FoEN

At an advocacy meeting in Calabar (the Capital of Cross River State) last week which had in attendance communities impacted by the PZ Cussons/Wilmar land grab, the groups resolved to mobilise, resist and take action to protect lands that they felt are under siege from Wilmar and oil palm companies activities that are systematically pushing locals out of their patrimony.

The Wilmar oil palm plantation impacted communities include Betem/Ehom, Akpet and Idoma communities from Biase Local Government Area (LGA) and Mbarakom/Uwet/Njagachang and Mfanosing/Aningeje from Akamkpa LGA.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the groups insist that Wilmar had not only short-changed them, but has also embarked on divide and rule to keep them in a perpetuity of servitude.

ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Godwin Uyi Ojo, said: “It is disheartening that Wilmar has become the face of land grab in Cross River State employing various tactics to make profits while keeping the typical forest communities under its boots.”

Ojo alleged that Wilmar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2011 with the state government wherein it was agreed that community assistance programmes such as road construction, provision of primary and secondary schools, health centres, portable water electricity and employment would be provided.

He stated that many communities insist that although they were told that an MOU exists, they have neither seen the document nor made aware of the contents of the agreement, “especially how it affects their community”.

According to him, other communities allege that Wilmar has made promises to them on employment of at least 20,000 workers and the building of a refinery but has failed to honour any as many workers earn a meagre N10,000 or less, far below the national minimum wage of N18,000.

“We are worried about Wilmar’s attempts to divide the communities through a capture of the elite, some government officials and chiefs on the one hand and ordinary community members, as a strategy of engendering divergence in views.”

One of such instance, Ojo pointed to, is a letter purportedly written by some chiefs that the communities gave their Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) to the actions and activities the company was undertaking on community land, and that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had been conducted, published and made available to all communities.

“We join our voices with that of the communities demanding that Wilmar desist from deliberately dividing the community to avoid conflicts among community members and between different communities,” he demanded.

He also advocated that the state government set in motion the process to review agreements allegedly signed between it and Wilmar on behalf of the communities and ensure that all impacted communities and civil society groups are part of an open, transparent and inclusive review process.

Ojo urged Wilmar to immediately stop the “slave labour” and instead properly negotiate wages with the workers.

Nigeria chairs committee as Adaptation Fund Board approves more projects

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As adaptation demand grows, the AFB moves ahead with green light from evaluation report

Mr Peter Tarfa, Chair of the Project Programme Review Committee (PPRC) of the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB)
Mr Peter Tarfa, Chair of the Project Programme Review Committee (PPRC) of the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB)

The Adaptation Fund Board (AFB) has considered a record number of project and programme applications, approving three full project proposals and five preliminary projects, for a total of over $12.4 million. The Board is also expanding its scope of operations, making decisions on regional projects for the first time alongside national adaptation projects.

This is coming even as Nigerian Peter Tarfa was made Chair of the Project Programme Review Committee (PPRC) of the AFB.

A couple of months ago, Tarfa, along with Ms. Yuka Greiler from Switzerland (who is representing Western European and other Groups), was elected during the 25th Meeting of the AFB (AFB25) in Bonn, Germany to the posts of Vice Chair and Chair of the PPRC respectively.

But at the 26th Meeting (AFB26) that also held in Bonn from October 8-9, 2015, the Board elevated Tarfa to be Chair of the PPRC from Vice Chair. Among other duties, Tarfa will be responsible for evaluating and recommending submitted project and programme proposals to the Board for approval.

An observer described the development as “a critical position and an added feather for Nigeria in international climate diplomacy.”

Last week in Bonn, the Board also decided to accredit the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) as a Regional Implementing Entity (RIE) of the Adaptation Fund, making it the 5th regional accredited entity, and joining the 20 national, and 12 multi-national accredited bodies who partner with the Fund.

“The unprecedented number of proposals to the Fund shows the huge demand for action on adaptation to climate change – and confirms the increasing relevance of the Adaptation Fund,” said Hans Olav Ibrekk, Chair of the AFB.

“The independent evaluation report on our work shows that we are really delivering on our mandate. We have a track record of supporting projects that build the resilience of some of the world’s poorest people against the impacts of climate change. We have a strong pipeline of projects for the future. Now we urgently need to make sure that we have the financial resources to match that demand.”

Decisions taken at the 26th Adaptation Fund Board meeting included:

  • Approving a project proposal, Enhancing resilience to climate change of the small agriculture in the Chilean region of O’Higgins from the Chilean International Cooperation Agency for $9.96 million
  • Approving two project proposals from the Indian National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Climate proofing of watershed development projects in the states of Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu for $1.34 million, and Climate Smart Actions and Strategies in North Western Himalayan Region for Sustainable Livelihoods of Agriculture-Dependent Hill Communities for nearly $1 million
  • Endorsing two concept proposals from the Indian National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and the Centre de Suivi Ecologique in Senegal, funding a total of $60.000
  • Endorsing four pre-concept proposals under the new pilot programme for regional projects for a total of $80.000
  • Accrediting the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) as a Regional Implementing Entity (RIE) of the Adaptation Fund

Welcoming the positive findings of the independent evaluation report on the Fund, which stressed the Fund’s relevance, effectiveness and efficiency.

The AFB also further considered how to build synergies with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), mandating its Secretariat to continue discussions with the GCF, and requesting clarification from the Conference to the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (the reporting body for the Fund) about the Board’s mandate to take decisions on inter-Fund relations.

The Adaptation Fund was established under the Kyoto Protocol of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and has committed $330 million in 50 countries since 2010 to climate adaptation and resilience activities. To date, 51 projects have been approved with the majority in the implementation stage.

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