Federation 2008-9 appeal: Climate change "one of the greatest threats facing humanity today"

The Federation has today released its 2008-9 appeal document, and warns in the press release that 'climate change is fundamentally altering the entire humanitarian agenda, contributing to an increase in disasters and severely impacting upon water supplies, agriculture and public health emergencies, aggravating the vulnerability of millions of people around the world.'

During the period 2008–2009, the International Federation’s programming will represent 326 million CHF in 2008 and 326 million CHF in 2009. A progress report will be produced on this work at the start of 2009, at which point the 2009 figure may be revised.

In a piece written for the front page of the Federation website section on the 2008-9 appeal, Markku Niskala, the secretary general of the International Federation, describes humanitarianism as a 'retail trade';

True humanitarianism must work at all levels in society, from global to local communities throughout the world. And yet, the real implementation of that humanitarian ideal of caring for our fellow people takes place between individuals.We can offer renewed hope to many, but it happens on a one-to-one basis.

You may hear about the impressive number of people rescued from the rubble following an earthquake, or saved from a raging torrent after a flood, but behind each of those figures lies a precious individual life.

Humanitarianism is therefore a retail affair. There are no wholesale solutions. In order to reach people in need of humanitarian help, we need to become a part of the community. We need to be either there already, or negotiate collapsed bridges, non-existent roads and steep mountain paths. A humanitarian organization that is a permanent part of the community – and that has the ability to scale up quickly to a global level of policy – is in the best possible position to deliver help where it is most needed. It is also best placed to make sure that the action taken is properly balanced and in proportion to the real needs on the ground.

The press release emphasises the Federation's view that climate change 'is one of the greatest threats facing humanity today', and sets out an appeal focussing on capacity-building and DRR, health and care and disaster management (75% of the budget).You can download all the appeal documents from the Federation website.