Sustainable Development Goal 13 – Climate Action
For International Development Week 2024 (February 4-10) The United Church of Canada highlights Mission and Service Partners who are contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Rev. Chali Mfuta, United Church of Zambia, a Mission and Service partner, serves as minister in Livingstone, Zambia. Rev. Chali witnessed first-hand the devastating impacts of Cyclone Ana and is a strong climate justice advocate. She attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 28) virtually as part of em>The United Church of Canada Young Adult delegation.
The climate crisis has had negative impact on communities in the Global South without the financial capacity to deal with the effects.
In January of 2023, Cyclone Ana hit Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia. The storm caused death, destruction, and power outages due to heavy rains and floods. In the southern part of Zambia, Namwala and Monze districts were seriously affected.
Crops were severely damaged and submerged by flood water. Livestock and houses were swept away. This led to hunger in the communities which experienced these losses, making it hard for children, pregnant women, and the elderly to survive.
In the communities of Nanwala and Monze alone, 32,448 households were displaced. Everything was submerged in the water, so people had to be airlifted from the small islands where they had sought refuge.
The risk of not having shelter, access to clean water and health facilities for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children and the physically challenged led to fear of violation, abuse, and neglect. Permanent structures for shelter and health and safety services were urgently needed, as was nutrition. Assistance came from different faith-based organizations, the Red Cross, the Zambian police force, the Ministry of Health, and the government’s Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit. They provided items such as food, toiletries, clothes, tents and medicine, and even spiritual support.
When reaching out to the community, the priority must be affected households and families. The challenge is the repair and reconstruction of damaged or destroyed facilities, including houses, schools, shops, markets, health facilities, and police stations.
COP28 is an opportunity to increase funding for these kinds of disasters which affect the most vulnerable communities. The type of funding should be grants and not loans. The funds should be easily accessible in order to mitigate the disasters in good time to avoid losing lives. As we work towards attaining the climate justice the Earth needs, let us also put in place policies and funding that will effectively respond to the damage and loss caused by climate change.
What Can You Do to Contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals?
- Advocatefor change to climate policies with the Canadian government and other decision-makers.
- Read more about the church’s climate change efforts and the COP delegation on the ClimateChange webpage and following #UCCanCOP28 on social media.
- Giveto Mission and Service to help support Canadian and global partners working towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Follow United Action for Justice’s Facebook page and the Roundthe Table blog for more information on how your community of faith can learn more, participate, and #goforthegoals!
- Share ACommitment to Creation Care, a prayer calling us to take action for a sustainable future.