Climate crisis: a new threat on the rise

It is often believed that the devastating impact of climate change as something we will never experience in our lifetime. However, the consequences are already here and on the rise. Countries all over the globe are experiencing severe weather; scorching temperatures, wildfires, severe storms, floods, increased droughts, and rising sea levels.

Changes in the climate and extreme weather events are among the reasons behind a global rise in hunger and poor nutrition. Heat waves can diminish water and grasslands for grazing, causing declining crop yields and affecting livestock. Floods are also destroying crops and leaving families without a source of income. 

Lebanon is no exception

Like many countries, Lebanon, specifically Akkar, where this story is from, is no exception. The consequences of climate change have become all too familiar. Rising temperatures, relentless heat waves, and dust storms are now persistent. Communities have witnessed the devastating power of floods and heavy rainfall, forcing their displacement and disrupting their surroundings.

The impact is multilayered based on the key findings from the World Vision Lebanon climate change research "Growing up in the climate crisis". It affects children and adolescents in several areas, such as education, food security, access to water, well-being, gender-based violence and much more.

Under the Global Hunger Response, World Vision in Lebanon is supporting the affected communities in Akkar to fight recurring floods by rehabilitating water canals. "In the past five years, the plain in Akkar was constantly flooding. The situation is becoming more difficult for the communities. The flooding is breaching the homes of many families. The canals are not sustaining the heavy rainfall," reveals Ramy el Khoury, WVL area manager. "World Vision sought to fix this problem from the source. We decided to clean and raise the level of the canals. This work will hopefully stop the flooding from reaching the houses next winter."

This project was also an excellent opportunity to support the people in the area with short-term work opportunities. "The people of this village did not just benefit from the infrastructure work but also from a cash-for-work opportunity. Around 37 people worked on the canal. This will support the families during the economic and hunger crisis," explains Ramy.

The work on the 265 meters canals was divided into three main phases. "First, we started working on cleaning and removing all debris that was blocking the canal. Second, we worked on increasing the height of the canals to 30 cm, which is enough to stop the water from flooding. Last, we worked on fixing an ancient pipe under the main road; this pipe will now allow a steady stream of water," explains the project engineer Affif Nassim.

Building resilience

Families in Akkar are facing a multidimensional crisis that severely impacts their livelihoods and food security – The ongoing economic collapse, a catastrophic inflation rate and the aftermath of climate change. Noting that these crises arose simultaneously in the past five years, amplifying the severe consequences on the communities.

According to the children's perspectives in "Growing up in the climate crisis" research, climate change significantly affects food security, mainly through water pollution that impacts the quality of crops. The responses also emphasize that climate change can result in food scarcity and poor food quality, limiting children's access to diverse and nutritious foods.

Graph: Perceived impact of climate change on food security

"Every year between December and March, we face the same problem –The land surrounding our homes floods forcing us to relocate. As a farmer, my work is also impacted, putting additional stress on our livelihoods," explains fifty-three-year-old Median. "During this period, I constantly worry about my children's health – In addition to the stressful food security situation, they are constantly getting sick due to the floods," adds the father of five.

Median was part of the group working on rehabilitating the canals. "I was very excited to be part of this project because it had various benefits. We worked with the engineer to clean and increase the height of the canal located just a few meters from my home. The project was a good opportunity to work and meet with others from the area. In addition to making some income," says Median. "This financial support will enable me to buy some essential food supplies for my children."

As for Ali Taha, a member of the local municipality, the sustainability of this project was its most important feature. "The economic situation crippled most municipalities in the country. We don't have the means to work on any viable project in our villages. What makes this project vital is its sustainability. The floods are an enormous struggle in our area; this project will end this scuffle," he reveals. "Most of the families in the areas are facing huge financial stress. The financial support received from this project will increase their resilience."

Climate change is here, and its impact is relentlessly affecting countless aspects of the lives of the communities in Akkar. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach. Governments, communities, and organizations must work together to develop sustainable strategies encompassing education, sustainable livelihoods, healthcare, and infrastructure.