Scotland is the first nation in the world to commit funds to ‘loss and damage’ caused by climate change in less developed nations. In 2015, the torrential rains in the Malawian village of Mambundungu were so severe that homes were washed away and children were taken by crocodiles. The entire community was forced to relocate to higher ground to avoid the flooding. As Malawi is one of the poorest nations, it struggles to pay for the necessary measures to repair the damage. At the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, the Scottish government allocated £2 million to a ‘loss and damage’ scheme and pledged an additional £5 million in April. The funds are being spent on flood defences for the new community, the reconstruction of a school damaged by flooding, and the protection of a frequently flooded cemetery. Village chief Lucy Banda Mbenje of the group stated, “The climate has really changed… In terms of past flooding, our cemetery was not affected. There was no water in the cemetery.” This money will provide much-needed relief to communities such as Mambundungu, whose residents are battling the effects of climate change.
The Scottish government made history by becoming the first in the world to commit funds to ‘loss and damage’ caused by climate change in less developed nations. This funding will provide much-needed relief to communities in Malawi, such as Mambundungu, that are battling the effects of climate change.
In 2015, the village of Mambundungu was devastated by torrential rains that destroyed homes and led to the abduction of some children by crocodiles. The entire community was forced to relocate to higher ground, but their new home also began to flood. Malawi, being one of the poorest countries in the world, struggles to pay for the necessary repairs.
The Scottish government responded to the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow by allocating £2 million to a ‘loss and damage’ scheme and promising an additional £5 million in April. This funding is being used to create flood defences in the new uphill community, rebuild a school damaged by flooding, and protect a frequently flooded cemetery. Isaac Mambundungu, the chief of the village, stated that he had no choice but to lead his people to safer ground: “The people attempted to build good homes, but the water destroyed them. Even our youngsters were swept away by the water. Even the crocodiles that inhabit the river would attack the populace. Therefore, upon observing this, we decided to relocate to higher ground.”
Ben Wilson, manager of advocacy at Sciaf, explains that this money is distinct from the type of humanitarian aid that follows a major natural disaster. He says, “Oftentimes, the aid and aid workers leave because they move on to the next disaster – and there is always a next disaster. This money arrives later, after the communities have already received the immediate assistance. However, it gives them what they need to rebuild, to develop resilience, and to get their lives back on track.”
At COP27 in Egypt, other world leaders finally agreed to follow Scotland’s example and help pay for climate-related damages in developing nations. The Scottish government’s commitment to providing this assistance is an enormous step towards ensuring that poorer nations do not bear the long-term effects of climate change alone.
