In a bid for
Northern Kenyans to adapt to changes in climate, the Kenyan government has
launched a new fund, tagged, ‘Climate Adaptation Fund.’
Officials of the
International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), revealed to NaijaAgroNet that the fund will be used
for combating some other development challenges that the country might be
facing.
Also, the fund,
will release the sum of Euro 500,000 about N101.2 million in 2013 in Isiolo, to
an eastern region of the country where the five communities of the pilot
project are.
The fund was
financed by Kenyan office of the United Kingdom (UK) Department for
International Development through the UK International Climate Fund, whereas
IIED is playing the dual role as a coordinator and adviser to the Kenyan
government on the fund.
The communities
have the opportunity to come up with proposal through their ward-level
committee as regards the fund, and such proposals would be assessed at the
county level by a cross community and government committee.
The fund, NaijaAgroNet gather that the fund would
also see to a country-wide community radio station which will work towards
delivering the right and accessible climate information in order to better
inform local planning processes.
Whereas some of
the earlier community suggestions had its focus on improvement of natural
resource management by building the capacity of customary institutions.
Commenting on the
fund, climate change advisor in the Ministry of Northern Kenya and other Arid
Lands, Victor Orindi said emergency responses to extreme weather event over the
years have deflected development resources from their proper purpose.
According to
Orindi, local planning needs to be integrated in actions for climate resilience
so as to make it effective.
Head, Climate
Change Group at IIED, Simon Anderson said the climate adaption fund will tackle
local development needs and climae vulnerabilities as it seeks to empower local
people to build partnership with local governments.
Yinka Awosanya
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