Dear John,

Last week, we wrote to you about how the climate crisis is hitting refugees and displaced people hardest around the world. This World Environment Day, we wanted to share some more positive news, looking at ways in which we, and refugees, are working to combat climate change.

Tongogara Refugee Camp in Zimbabwe is regularly exposed to natural disasters such as floods and cyclones, as well as heat waves. But the Refugee Coalition for Climate Action, made up of young refugee activists, is working hard to raise awareness of climate change throughout the camp. They also run clean-up campaigns, and carry out tree planting activities to help stabilise soil, create shade and to increase biodiversity.

Last month, deadly floods in the southern Rio Grande do Sul state of Brazil affected more than 2.3 million people. This included around 43,000 refugees and people in need of international protection from countries such as Venezuela and Haiti. UNHCR has been supporting efforts to help the thousands of people who were forced to flee their homes, and we have already started delivering durable Refugee Housing Units (RHUs) to support displaced families.

Afghanistan experiences huge weather extremes, from sub-zero temperatures to flooding and droughts. To support Afghan families to earn a living in a sustainable way, we’ve been providing people with the tools and training to start business growing flowers and vegetables. With the help of solar panels and sustainable water pumps, people like 76-year-old Mohammad Ghani (pictured) are able to grow produce all year round, feeling their families and selling surplus at local markets.

Happy World Environment Day 🌍 from everyone here at UNHCR. We hope that these stories have inspired you to look at simple actions that can help make a positive impact, despite the challenges of our changing climate. We’ll be in touch again soon with a more in-depth look at how the climate crisis is uprooting lives in areas such as East and Horn of Africa.

Best wishes, 

Monia Hassan
International Supporter Care
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency