The planet is experiencing a climate crisis of catastrophic proportions. Extreme weather events have vividly shown how these can bring entire countries and communities to a virtual standstill. Volatile weather extremes have severely damaged the environment and with it the destruction of lives and livelihoods – especially of the poorest and most vulnerable.

Building climate resilient communities is the pro-active response to the increasing threats that climate change brings. And it is important to underscore that resilience is more than just adapting to the impacts of climate change. Resilience entails people and communities defending their lives and livelihoods, and meaningfully participating, reshaping and taking ownership of development policies and programs, among others.

Building climate resilient communities encompasses disaster risk reduction and management, relief and rehabilitation, humanitarian response, but also includes people’s participation and engagement in challenging and transforming systems founded on the exploitation of people and planet.