Introduction:

In the intricate landscape of global humanitarian funding, the UNICEF Global Humanitarian Thematic Funding (GHTF) and the Loss and Damage Fund play pivotal roles in addressing the consequences of climate change. This blog article explores the guiding principles set forth by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) for these funds, focusing on their commitment to addressing loss and damage, minimizing and averting impacts, and promoting equitable access to support. Additionally, we delve into the non-exhaustive list of activities eligible for support under the AOSIS agreement, providing insights into the comprehensive approach undertaken to address diverse aspects of loss and damage.

UNICEF Global Humanitarian Thematic Funding (GHTF) and Loss and Damage Fund:

AOSIS Guiding Principles:

The AOSIS guiding principles form the cornerstone of the Loss and Damage Fund and other new funding arrangements. These principles, agreed upon in late 2022, outline a strategic and cooperative approach to dealing with loss and damage associated with climate change. Key principles include:

1. Focus on Addressing Loss and Damage:

• The principles emphasize a dedicated focus on addressing loss and damage caused by climate-related events. This underscores a commitment to tackling the real and tangible impacts of climate change.

1. Acknowledgment of Importance of Minimizing & Averting:

• AOSIS recognizes the importance of both minimizing expected loss and damage and averting future impacts. This dual acknowledgment reflects a proactive stance toward climate action.

1. Connection to Climate Inaction:

• A critical principle involves acknowledging the connection between loss and damage and climate inaction. This highlights the Fund’s commitment to holding stakeholders accountable for climate action.

1. Cooperative and Facilitative Basis:

• The provision of support is guided by a cooperative and facilitative basis, fostering collaborative efforts to address loss and damage collectively.

1. High-Risk Appetite in Programming:

• The Fund adopts a high-risk appetite in programming, recognizing the inherent challenges and uncertainties associated with addressing loss and damage.

1. Timely and Programmatic Support:

• The principles emphasize the importance of timely responses that can supplement existing finance types, especially humanitarian assistance. Programmatic support ensures a strategic and organized approach to addressing loss and damage.

1. Balanced and Equitable Access:

• Ensuring balanced and equitable enhanced direct access to funding is a key principle. This includes leveraging existing regional and national entities and involving local non-state actors for a more inclusive approach.

1. Active Involvement of Civil Society:

• The guiding principles advocate for the active involvement of civil society in Fund operations, recognizing the crucial role of diverse perspectives and community engagement.

AOSIS Non-Exhaustive List of Activities Eligible for Support:

The AOSIS agreement, reached in late 2022, outlines a comprehensive list of activities eligible for support under the Loss and Damage Fund. This includes economic, non-economic, and enabling activities:

• Economic Activities:
• Social protection support
• Public budget support
• Monetary funding support
• Debt relief support
• Catastrophe bonds support
• Insurance support
• Non-Economic Activities:
• Memorialization
• Health rehabilitation services and relief (mental and physical)
• Education relief
• Infrastructure rehabilitation
• Culture and heritage restoration
• Ecosystem restoration
• Enabling Activities (Potential Linkage to SNLD – Slow Onset Loss and Damage):
• Long-term systematic observation and data collection
• Terrestrial area elevation
• Long-term capacity building
• Debris clean-up and decontamination services
• Displacement coordination and response
• Land transfer as land territory (inclusive of corresponding citizen rights for any displaced people)

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the UNICEF Global Humanitarian Thematic Funding and Loss and Damage Fund, guided by AOSIS principles, represent a strategic and collaborative approach to addressing loss and damage associated with climate change. The comprehensive list of eligible activities underscores a commitment to holistic solutions that encompass economic, non-economic, and enabling aspects. As these funds navigate the complex landscape of humanitarian challenges linked to climate change, the principles and activities provide a roadmap for inclusive, timely, and effective responses to the impacts of climate-related events.