On Day 1 of the FRLD board meeting in Manila, Lidy Nacpil reminded the board of the Fund’s core function: “A country is hit by a climate disaster and it needs money immediately without being forced to take out emergency loans that must be repaid. Pakistan, for example, has been hit by three major floods this year alone and is still waiting for money. A fundamental purpose of the FRLD should be to fill the gap and ensure this injustice does not happen.”
The Fund for responding to Loss and Damage exists because civil society and developing countries fought for it. It cannot end up another empty promise by the rich countries most responsible for the climate crisis.
Rich countries must #PayUp and #FillTheFund so that the FRLD can deliver finance quickly, directly, and commensurate with the scale of need.