Chair of UN Secretary General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change Nisreen Elsaim speaks during Africa Day at COP26. Nisreen Elsaim from Sudan gave an initiated and convincing speech to the political leaders of her region. Among other things, she addressed the devastating floods of recent years in Sudan and South Sudan.
In September 2020, profuse and continuous rainfall in Sudan caused a devastating flood across 17 out of the 18 states. It ranks among the most severe floods recorded in the region. A state of emergency was declared. The flood affected more than 3,000,000 people. Destroyed more than 100,000 homes, and left more than 100 people dead .
The water level of the Nile River in Sudan rose and reached record levels. The level of the Blue Nile reached more than 17 metres. Floods caused by torrential monsoon rains mostly outside the country in neighbouring Ethiopia raised the Nile River by 17.5 metres in late August. For the first time in history, the Pyramids of Meroë were threatened by flooding.
The Sudanese Security and Defense Council declared a state of emergency throughout the country for a period of three months. And has decided to consider Sudan a natural disaster area. The council has formed a supreme committee to prevent and address the effects of torrents and floods.
“Young people are determined in their own actions and doing things their own way” when it comes to climate ambition – stated Nisreen Elsaim. The outspoken young Sudanese woman at the group’s helm, has used her new-found platform to engage with older political leaders on the climate diplomacy scene.
Nisreen Elsaim predicted: “we will have a young generation that is very much more mature than previous generations” and will take environmental stewardship much more to its heart.
The 26th UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow will be completed now on Friday, November 12th.
