Climate Change Experts Warn of Impacts on Poor Countries as Cyclone Fani Bears Down on India and Bangladesh

30 April, 2019 – As Cyclone Fani approaches India and Bangladesh, CARE experts warn that the increased occurrences of disasters in poorer countries is saddling millions of innocent people with the “debt of climate change.”

Severe cyclonic storm Fani is expected to result in very heavy rainfall and cause significant destruction in parts of India and Bangladesh between 3 and 4 May, weather forecasters have predicted. This comes as both Cyclone Kenneth and Cyclone Idai have had unprecedented impacts across Mozambique.

While no study has specifically measured how climate change affected the likelihood of these cyclones, global warming is known to intensify tropical storm effects. Although poorer countries in the global south – such as Mozambique and Bangladesh – have contributed the least to climate change, they are already experiencing devastating climate impacts and are likely to bear the brunt of future global warming, according to CARE experts.

“We know that poor countries are being forced to shoulder the burden caused by fossil fuel emissions. They not only endure the worsening impacts of climate change, resulting in more frequent and intense disasters, but also face a worsening financial situation. We call on the countries and companies most responsible for the causes of climate disruption to heed our warning: if coordinated climate action is not urgently taken, poor countries will suffer even more from this injustice.”

Sven Harmeling, Global Policy Lead on Climate Change, CARE International

Mozambique – considered one of the most indebted countries in the world – was last week granted a $118.2 million rebuilding credit facility by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following the climate-linked cyclone Idai disaster. Though this appears generous, it still leaves the country responsible to pay off the substantial loan.

“Developed countries must immediately ramp up financial support to those suffering from these disasters, and commit to fund disaster preparedness and response. It is unacceptable to continue offering loans that result in insurmountable debt for disaster-stricken countries. The only way for the main contributors of climate change to take responsibility is to provide full support for the consequences of their actions.”

Sven Harmeling

Mozambique is, by the IMF’s reckoning, the sixth-poorest country in the world. Most people here earn about $1,30 a day; and less than 30 percent of the population has access to electricity.

“It is unfair to saddle poor countries with the costs of a problem they did little to cause. After enduring extreme weather events, like Idai and Kenneth, the people of Mozambique, are now faced with crippling debts. This must be a big wake-up call as what’s happening to Mozambique is going to continue to happen across the global south.”

Marc Nosbach, Country Director, CARE Mozambique

Meanwhile, CARE staff in Bangladesh have serious concerns the Cyclone Fani may cause destruction in the settlements occupied by Rohingya refugees.

“Cyclone Fani is heading towards Bangladesh and India from the Bay of Bengal with landfall expected on Saturday, May 4th 2019. The best case scenario predicts that heavy rains and strong winds are short-lived. The worst scenario will see massive destruction of homes, buildings, roads, crops and more. The real concern is for the Rohingya refugees: over 1 million people living in flimsy shelters, densely packed into a very fragile, hilly, exposed area. We are expecting destruction of shelters, injuries and landslides.”

“CARE has over 500 staff and volunteers working in Cox’s Bazaar. All staff are mobilized to respond fast, especially in Camps 13 and 16, where we are responsible for over 60,000 people. All staff leave has been cancelled, goods are being prepositioned, assessment teams are ready to assess damage, and all teams are ready to rescue, repair and rebuild.”

Zia Choudhury, Country Director, CARE Bangladesh