Top Posts
Death toll from Mokwa flood rises to 153
Scientists say nearly 40% of the world’s glaciers...
Nigerian government seeks alignment of NDC climate action...
German court dismisses climate case against RWE
WHO Climate Change action plan approved
Report: World likely to breach 1.5°C limit in...
At Bonn climate talks, Brazil demands early deals...
Researchers warn Africa could face 113 million climate...
LAPO MfB launches tree-planting initiative to fight climate...
Stiell says new NDCs are about growth, antidote...
EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World
World

Vanuatu takes climate plea to world stage after twin cyclones leave thousands homeless

by Segun Ogunlade March 24, 2023
written by Segun Ogunlade March 24, 2023
566

Vanuatu has expressed optimism that the United Nations General Assembly will next week adopt its push for greater priority to be given to the human rights impact of climate change as the island continues to recover from two cyclones that struck within a week.

According to the Pacific island nation’s Minister of Climate Change, Ralph Regenvanu, 119 governments have so far co-sponsored Vanuatu’s resolution, which seeks legal clarity on the obligation of states to take climate change action, and draws attention to the vulnerability of small islands states hit by worsening storms and rising seas.

Vanuatu hopes more nations will sign-on before the general assembly debate begins on Wednesday, and it will be passed by consensus, he said.

“Right now in my country, thousands of citizens are dealing with broken homes, destroyed infrastructure and loss of food crops,” he told an online forum on Thursday evening, adding that the cost of the disaster will exceed half of Vanuatu’s annual GDP.

Read also: FG to invest more in meteorological data generation

More than 3,000 people are still in evacuation centres three weeks after two category-four cyclones hit Vanuatu, which has a population of 319,000 spread across 80 islands while homes, schools and medical centres were damaged or destroyed and several island airports remain shut.

The resolution “does not name, blame, or shame any particular nation or group of countries; rather, it asks for guidance and clarity on the application of existing international law,” he said.

The International Court of Justice would be asked to issue a legal opinion on the responsibility of states, and while this was not legally binding, it should motivate states to ensure human rights are prioritised in climate change negotiations, he added.

Story was adapted from Reuters.

Climate changeEnvironmentVanuatu
0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
admineconai

previous post
FG to invest more in meteorological data generation
next post
Hundreds flee homes after wildfire hit eastern Spain

Related Posts

Scientists say nearly 40% of the world’s glaciers...

June 3, 2025

German court dismisses climate case against RWE

May 28, 2025

WHO Climate Change action plan approved

May 28, 2025

Report: World likely to breach 1.5°C limit in...

May 28, 2025

At Bonn climate talks, Brazil demands early deals...

May 23, 2025

Guterres raises alarm over rapid Himalayan glacier melt

May 17, 2025

Study shows two-thirds of global warming caused by...

May 8, 2025

Weather expert warns climate change to hit agriculture...

May 5, 2025

Trump dismisses authors of major climate report

April 30, 2025

New UN report shows Indigenous Peoples sidelined in...

April 25, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Bloglovin
  • Vimeo

@2021 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Eco-Nai+

EcoNai Newsroom
  • Newsround
  • Nigeria
  • Africa
  • World