Introducing our new Climate Change pillar

The Lotus Flower has some big news to share: we have just launched a fourth project pillar to help tackle the escalating climate crisis in Iraq.

The decision to start our new Climate Change pillar comes after the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) named Iraq the fifth most vulnerable country in the world to the effects of the climate emergency – including decreasing availability of food and water water, extreme temperatures and associated health problems.

It’s well known that climate change disproportionately impacts on at-risk communities, with people living in displacement worst-affected by issues such as floods, wildfires, severe droughts, extreme temperatures and restricted access to food and water.

There are also clear links between Iraq’s climate crisis and rising inequality and increased gender-based violence – with women and girls being hardest hit. As UN Women has stated, climate change is a "threat multiplier", which increases social, political and economic tensions in conflict-affected settings, while exposing women and girls to all forms of GBV, as well as trafficking and early marriage.

Under our new project pillar, we will be developing a range of climate-related projects that address crucial issues such as sustainable farming methods and livelihood resilience.

Until now, we have previously had three core pillars: Education & Livelihoods, Health & Safety and Peacebuilding & Human Rights. We believe the adoption of our new Climate Change pillar will support each of these existing areas of our work; for instance through education about environmental risks and health threats, the provision of eco livelihoods initiatives and improved knowledge about climate-related human rights issues.

We have already begun working on the Climate Change pillar, with two projects currently operational. One is our ‘She Leads in Food Security’ initiative, which aims to enhance the food security and economic status of IDPs, refugees and returnees through climate-smart agriculture and income-generating initiatives. A second existing project which launched on International Women's Day is Jam Sisters, which is enabling a group of women refugees to become financially independent through making jams and preserves from local products.

We are now seeking support and funding from individuals and organisations who are as committed to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change as we are. If you would like to get involved or want to hear more, please do drop us a line on info@thelotusflower.org.

You can also read more about the need for our new pillar in this special report we have compiled to support its launch. We hope you find it interesting!