Civil society organizations, indigenous peoples’ groups, and climate justice advocates called for increased financing for the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage as its 9th Board Meeting opened in Manila, warning that its current resources are not enough to address the worsening impacts of climate change.
During a virtual briefing organized by the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development, Aksyon Klima Pilipinas National Coordinator John Leo Algo said the FRLD currently has around US$250 million, or about ₱15.3 billion, while it is evaluating 176 funding proposals worth US$2.8 billion, or approximately ₱171.9 billion.
Algo said the value of the proposals exceeds 11 times the fund’s available resources.
Of the proposals submitted, 81 came from Africa, 49 from the Asia-Pacific, 42 from Latin America and the Caribbean, and four from Eastern Europe. One proposal came from the Philippines.
However, Algo said only four proposals worth US$77.4 million are expected to be presented for board approval, raising concerns that many countries may face delays in accessing urgently needed climate financing.
Filipino climate advocate Tetet Lauron cited the threat of Super Typhoon Inday, also known internationally as Bavi, and the expected Super El Niño as examples of why vulnerable communities need faster, more direct access to financial support.
Lauron also called for greater participation of local communities in accessing the fund, stressing that recovery from climate disasters can take years.
The 9th FRLD Board Meeting is being held in Manila from July 8 to 10.
Climate advocates urged the board to increase the fund’s resources and accelerate the release of assistance to countries most affected by climate change.