Mary Friel

Views are my own; IFRC Climate Policy & Diplomacy. Formerly British Red Cross, Christian Aid & Trócaire. Geneva, from Belfast. Also, brewing & eurovision.

[Jagan Chapagain @jagan_chapagain]

Thank you Amb. H.E Crocker @USAmbGVA for co-hosting IFRC's special donor event on Climate-Humanitarian Action where we discussed the humanitarian outcomes of @COP28_UAE and how we can take climate action together.

No region is exempt from the climate crisis's devastating impacts, yet the most affected communities still struggle to access the support they need. But disasters don’t need to be deadly if communities are supported to act.

COP28 saw major decisions:
- transition away from fossil fuel
- the first Global Stocktake
- a new Global Goal on Adaptation
- and a decision to operationalise the Loss and Damage Fund

Together, let's build on those decisions. The urgency of climate action or inaction will define our future and the legacy we leave for generations.

Thank you to all speakers and States present today and for continuing our joint work and advocacy in 2024.

Urgent climate action is no longer a choice; it is an imperative for the survival of our planet and people.

[Jagan Chapagain @jagan_chapagain]

Good discussion with Amb. H.E. Bekkers @NLinGeneva & Saudi Arabia's Amb. H.E bin Khothaila @KSAPermanentGVA about investing in prevention to reduce the impact of disasters & crises. As members of @IFRC's Donor Advisory Group, I welcome their fresh perspectives & collective solutions for impactful humanitarian action. @mediasrcaen  @RodeKruis

[Mary Friel @maryfriel]

Powerful call to action @jagan_chapagain to Geneva community on #COP28 outcomes (1) Comprehensive action: mitigation, adaptation, loss & damage (2) People: connect climate action with day to day life, food, water, energy (3) Fix finance: quantity, quality & access to local level

[Jagan Chapagain @jagan_chapagain]

Proud to announce that the IFRC will be hosting the first Global Summit on Extreme Heat on 28 March together with @USAID.

Extreme heat is a growing threat. 2023 marked the hottest year on record, coinciding with deadly heat waves on nearly every continent, from Pakistan to Tunisia to Texas.

Extreme heat events are becoming more frequent and intense, resulting in more deaths and exacerbating other climate disasters such as drought and wildfires.

I'm honored to join Samantha Power @PowerUSAID and leaders from government and the private sector for this upcoming Virtual Heat Summit.

Together, we'll discuss solutions and strategies to protect communities from extreme heat. https://t.co/nRGvqau41m

[Nick Simpson @NickZimson]

Our new article, Research Priorities for Climate Mobility, outlines key areas to improve our understanding and planning for the movement of human populations in response to the current realities and future risks from climate change.

https://t.co/R3pgDjmGqD

[Guardian Environment @guardianeco]

‘We don’t need air con’: how Burkina Faso builds schools that stay cool in 40C heat https://t.co/bnWlP331dL

[World Weather Attribution @WWAttribution]

Climate change fuelled unprecented extreme weather in 2023; expect more record-breaking events in 2024.

Both adaptation and a rapid move away from fossil fuels is needed to make our world a safer place.

https://t.co/M2e1CuYD35

[Jagan Chapagain @jagan_chapagain]

Whatever the reason, some emergencies don't get as much attention as others.

For the people living through these crises, however, they are just as real, heartbreaking and life-changing as the big catastrophes.

This is why the IFRC has a rapid-response funding mechanism called @IFRC_DREF that gets funds quickly to all crises, large or small.

Here are ten of the least-known disasters that @IFRC_DREF responded to in 2023. https://t.co/pCh0Q1rmVd

[Kate Forbes @KateForbes_IFRC]

Humbled, grateful. I want to thank the Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies for trusting me to be the next @IFRC President.

This is the biggest honor of my life. I commit to lead by example, and work in true partnership.

Forward together for humanitarian action.

[Dr Susannah Fisher @Susannahfisher]

I wrote about what the world achieved on adaptation at #COP28 @SustainableUCL @UCLIRDR

Short answer - a start but doesn't meet the scale of the challenge.
https://t.co/5mZXDEDZA8

[Inger Andersen @andersen_inger]

Nature-based solutions are dramatically underfunded.

Yet new @UNEP data shows $7 trillion is invested globally each year in activities that have a direct negative impact on nature

We must reverse this. Our State of Finance for Nature report looks at how: https://t.co/CFjTR6sf9n

[IFRC @ifrc]

The Secretary General of the IFRC @jagan_chapagain is warning that communities will suffer due to a lack of urgency expressed in the final text of the #COP28 summit.

While welcoming much of the agreement, @jagan_chapagain warns it does not go far enough, fast enough and that financial commitment is lacking to meet the needs of communities. https://t.co/jafFdvwBsM

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

📢📢NEW📢📢

THE definitive @CarbonBrief summary of #COP28, an epic team effort by all my brilliant colleagues (+ me)

HUGE thanks to the dozens of experts, wonks, geeks, friends who gave quotes & helped us pull this together

(Final sections coming tmrw)

https://t.co/gH1mLvEUne

[Mary Friel @maryfriel]

After 2 weeks of talks @ifrc reaction #COP28 "Urgency, action & funds are missing. A step in the right direction – but we needed a leap". What next? Renewed focus on adaptation action & for new L&D Fund & funding arrangements to flow to where it is needed https://t.co/mhptPLwYbL

[Mary Friel @maryfriel]

.@ifrc raises concern at COP28 "Inaction on adaptation risks lives". Read more https://t.co/qjedorgDc2

[Xavier Castellanos @Xcastel]

#COP28UAE
The IFRC Reclaimed Table for Climate Action is meant as a reminder of our responsibility to make better future where communities are resilient to the effects of climate-related disasters. https://t.co/o6v7NI532j

[Mary Friel @maryfriel]

Midnight end week 1 #COP28 historic Loss & Damage Fund & SNLD agreed, launch of Declaration on Climate Relief Recovery & Peace plus the Charter on Financing Ahead of Disasters. But worrying gaps & urgent action needed on adaptation with little movement on GGA & adaptation finance

[IFRC Disaster Law @Disaster_Law]

Weather-related hazards are increasing in frequency and intensity, #EarlyWarningEarlyAction must be supported by disaster laws, policies, and plans. #COP28UAE https://t.co/JCY6NYNrQc

[Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance @ZCRAlliance]

Missed our #COP28 side event on #ResilientRecovery? @maryfriel of the @ifrc can bring you up to speed.

Plus the recording of the event is now available to watch online! https://t.co/GEztwTobst

[Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance @ZCRAlliance]

@MalawiRedCross "Our interventions should be informed by the needs, the context and the voice of the people directly affected." - Prisca Chisala, Director of Programmes and Development, @MalawiRedCross