Climate change is a major driver of humanitarian crises, affecting millions of people, especially those who are already vulnerable and marginalized, more so, in conflict and fragile contexts.

The International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) is cognisant that the scale of the crisis requires a collective and holistic approach that cuts across siloes and that the challenges faced cannot be fully addressed by humanitarian action alone.

ICVA will rally the diversity of humanitarian NGOs to meaningfully contribute to discussions and decision-making processes. ICVA will advocate for support and resources to build resilience to face and address impacts of climate change on humanitarian action and be more environmentally sustainable in our actions. ICVA will enhance our understanding, capacities, and bring together our collective and collaborative strengths as a network to face challenges that cannot be solved alone.

To contribute to strengthening the humanitarian response to climate risks, including for communities that are displaced, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), we will be establishing a Secretariat to support signatories to the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organizations, with support from the European Union and the Unites States. This body which will be hosted/administered by ICVA, will answer the call from humanitarian organizations for a dedicated resource hub where good practice, technical knowledge, and lessons learned can be shared widely and accessibly cross the humanitarian sector as it scales up its response to the climate and environmental crises.

ICVA will gather and share evidence and lessons learned on how ICVA members and NGOs are working on climate change, environmental sustainability, and humanitarian action in their contexts, encouraging coordination and communication with affected communities and local actors whenever possible. This will be a continuation of efforts through ICVA’s sixth Online Learning Stream on Climate and Humanitarian Action launched in September 2021.

About ICVA: Founded in 1962, International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA) is a global network of over 160 non- governmental organizations (NGOs) active in 160 countries, operating at global, regional, national and local levels, whose mission is to make humanitarian action more principled and effective by working collectively and independently to influence policy and practice. ICVA members currently include humanitarian NGOs, large and small, national and international, networks and consortiums, secular and faith-based, with an estimated income of over USD 20 billion. Almost 50% of our members have their head quarters in the global south. Through our members we have an outreach of over 8000 organizations. In addition to membership, ICVA has developed several strong and diverse partnerships at local, national, regional and global levels.