In Zimbabwe, at least 172 deaths have been reported, more than 186 people have been injured and 327 are
missing, according to the Government (2019). In Chimanimani and Chipinge districts, at least half of the total
population has been impacted, according to the preliminary findings of an inter-sector assessment mission
which confirmed significant damage. At least 16,000 households need shelter assistance in Chimanimani,
Mutare, Chipinge and Buhera, according to the Government (2019).
Humanitarian response is ongoing in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, led by the respective governments.
However, signi���cant response challenges remain, as heavy rains have damaged roads and main access
bridges have been washed away. The theme draws attention to the importance of combatting climate change
as a way to protect and promote peace throughout the world. As history has taught us displacements, water
scarcity, hunger and other calamities caused by climate change ignite and drive conflicts. The damage left
by Cyclone Idai will be stuck in our memories for a long time and this raise new questions along reparations,
redress, promotion and protection of human rights in Zimbabwe and the region.
Climate change causes clear threats to international peace and security. Natural disasters displace three
times as many people as conflicts, forcing millions to leave their homes and seek safety elsewhere. The
salinization of water and crops is endangering food security, and the impact on public health is escalating.
The growing tensions over resources and mass movements of people are affecting every country on every
continent.
Peace can only be achieved if concrete action is taken to combat climate change. Speaking to young Māoris
and people of the Pacific islands in New Zealand in May, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said
“nature does not negotiate” and emphasized four key measures that Governments should prioritize in order
to reach carbon neutrality by 2050: tax pollution, not people; stop subsidizing fossil fuels; stop building new
coal plants by 2020; focus on a green economy, not a grey economy.
The NTJWG commends the UN for calling for a Summit on 23 September, 2019 on ‘Climate Action’
to discuss concrete and adopt realistic plans to accelerate action to implement the Paris Agreement. The
Summit will focus on the heart of the problem – the sectors that create the most emissions and the areas
where building resilience could make the biggest difference – as well as provide leaders and partners the
opportunity to demonstrate real climate action and showcase their ambition. This is commendable.
In the lead up to the International Day of Peace on 21 September, the NTJWG calls upon everyone to take
action to tackle climate change. Every human is part of the solution - from turning off the lights to taking
public transport, to organizing an awareness raising campaign in your community, matters.
“It is possible to achieve our goals, but we need decisions, political will and transformational policies to
allow us to still live in peace with our own climate.” -Secretary-General António Guterres (15 May, 2019).
What needs be done?
The NTJWG calls on everyone across the globe to confront the new barriers to peace. Climate challenge is
an existential threat to every human being. The NTJWG calls on all people to take action on climate change
in their homes, schools and communities. Small things such as raising awareness, running educational
programmes, promoting sustainable lifestyles, planting trees, conserving nature, supporting renewable
energy, adopting environmentally-friendly practices and implementing adaptation and mitigation projects
can be done to combat climate change.
The Working Group represents an emergency and calls for bold and creative steps from the human rights
community, radical, robust and coordinated approaches to tackle it. The NTJWG believes that we should
take it upon ourselves to confront new barriers to peace for present and future generations. The time for
ACTION is now.