World Resources Institute Invites You to

Build Back Better: Resilience of Vulnerable Populations and COVID-19

Thursday, May 7, 2020
9:00 a.m. EDT
Webinar

For poor countries and vulnerable populations, COVID-19 is a perfect storm. 

People living in poverty, in informal settlements and slums, and uprooted by war and persecution already face multiple risks every day, including climate change. Cyclones and hurricanes threaten island states in the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Caribbean. Droughts, insect outbreaks, and floods could destroy crops on a massive scale from Africa to Asia to Latin America, hurting food security. Now, on top of these risks, vulnerable communities face the health, economic, and livelihood impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.

It is not too late for the world to come together and reduce the scale of the humanitarian crisis before us. Already, many communities and local organizations are creating innovative solutions. International actors are stepping up as well — but more must be done. Global solidarity is more important now than ever. 

How can response and recovery efforts to COVID-19 build longer-term resilience to enable communities and countries to better prepare for future health and climate risks? What actions are needed to help countries and communities build back better to create jobs, improve economic security, and fill development deficits? WRI is bringing together a diverse group of speakers representing vulnerable communities on the frontlines and international aid agencies.
 

Speakers:

• Sheela Patel, Founder and Director, Society for the Promotion of Area Resource Centres (SPARC); Chair, Slum/Shack Dwellers International; Commissioner, Global Commission on Adaptation 
• Rosemary Atieno, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Community Mobilization for Positive Empowerment (COMPE) 
• Maarten van Aalst, Director, Climate Centre, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
• Ulrika Åkesson, Lead Policy Specialist, Environment and Climate Change, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) 
• Christina Chan, Director, Climate Resilience Practice, World Resources Institute; Co-Director, Global Commission on Adaptation (Moderator)

For more information, please contact Nate Shelter, Nate.Shelter@wri.org.
 

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