Climate action for a cooler tomorrow
The worsening climate and environment crises impact all countries where Norwegian Church Aid work. But there is also hope and solutions. Meet some of the people hardest affected and see how we are equipping communities to become resilient against natural hazards, adapt to climate change and supporting future generations.
Text: Anette Torjusen
Photo: Håvard Bjelland
«Justice never goes out of style, and even though it may be hard to see right now, the world is still connected.»
Anne Cecilie Kaltenborn, Secretary General, Norwegian Church Aid
NCA and partners are driving change in a world of crisis
In a time of global uncertainty, NCA and its partners are proving that hope and justice still matter. By mobilizing faith leaders, empowering youth and women, and fostering dialogue, they’re transforming communities to make them resilient and able to face climate changes.
Clean water, lasting impact in climate change
Through its climate-resilient water, sanitation and hygiene program, Norwegian Church Aid provides clean water, safe sanitation, and hygiene to vulnerable communities, helping hundreds of thousands live healthier, safer, and more dignified lives. This work protects health, empowers women, and builds resilience in facing climate changes.
Flowing clean water despite brutal floods in Pakistan
Gaouri (10) can take a good sip of water. That’s no small thing.
Three years ago, her entire village was wiped out by floods, and her family of ten fled for their lives.
The wind gently lifts Gaouri’s shawl as she bends down to drink clean water in the heat. Sweat pours from all of us as we meet her family in Soomar Bheel, Sindh, Pakistan. Here, temperatures reach up to 50 degrees Celsius, making it nearly impossible to be outdoors.
In 2022, Gaouri’s entire village was destroyed by flooding that claimed nearly 2,000 lives and affected over 30 million people in Pakistan.
To prevent disasters like the one in 2022, Norwegian Church Aid built flood-resistant toilets and water pumps. We also supported the construction of sturdy homes. Despite repeated floods, the buildings have withstood the brutal climate changes ravaging Pakistan.
When we returned to the village three years later, the buildings were still standing, clean water flowed from a secure source, and the toilets had survived multiple floods.
NCA has a thematic area in Climate and Environmental Stewardship and are a part of a global community of humanitarian and development actors. NCA aims to reduce the negative impacts of the climate crisis and support communities in building resilience.
Breathing green hope into Guatemala’s forests
In the face of rising forest fires, water scarcity, and food insecurity, young Indigenous leaders like Glendy Augustin are fighting for a sustainable future in Guatemala. Rooted in the Maya people's deep respect for nature, she mobilizes youth to protect forests, water, and land, the foundations of life.
Together with partners, Norwegian Church Aid supports local communities in conserving forests, securing water sources, and creating green jobs. In the Chajil Siwan forest, conservation is combined with ecotourism and intergenerational knowledge sharing.
The solution lies in local ownership, Indigenous wisdom, and youth engagement, for a just and green future.
By engaging faith and traditional leaders, NCA work actively to prevent climate changes, together and with an interfaith approach. We are planting threes for green belts, work with agroforestry and preventing forests. Like in Ethiopia.
The climate champion of Garden of Eden
In Jimma, Ethiopia, farmer Ababya Abagaro has become a local hero. Faced with rising temperatures, unpredictable rains, and worsening droughts, he took action, planting thousands of trees to fight climate change.
“This is a fight for survival,” says Ababya, who has created the district’s first and largest seedling farm. His climate-smart agriculture not only restores land but also feeds families.
With support from Norwegian Church Aid, Ababya has trained over 100 farmers who now grows papaya, avocado, and soy, and has found both hope and income.
“Climate change is real,” says Ababya. “But so is our ability to fight it.”
Smart solutions against floods and drought
In recent years, Afghanistan has faced increasingly severe droughts and floods. “This dam has changed our lives,” says Mohammad Afzali from the village of Omarkhan.
Despite contributing little to global emissions, Afghanistan suffers greatly from climate change. Rising temperatures have led to longer dry spells and destructive floods, threatening food security.
Local farmers rely on crops like maize, potatoes, and fruit for survival. Previously, they used sandbags to manage water, but it wasn’t enough. Now, a new concrete dam built by Norwegian Church Aid and our partner allows them to store and control water for irrigation.
“We’re finally able to grow enough for ourselves and to sell. This dam has truly transformed our lives,” says Mohammad.
Sanaa Al Asaad WASH manager NCA Lebanon. By the solar panel that gives power to the water system that deliver water to Bahr El Ghazal in Bekaa valley.
NCA supports communities to sustainably use, manage and restore natural resources. Both to reduce negative impacts on communities environmental degradation and climate change and to protect essential ecosystem services, biodiversity, and ecological health.
A major global waste problem can be tackled and result in both jobs and new products. This has been demonstrated by Norwegian Church Aid's project, ‘Waste for value’. More and more countries are adopting this method.
Anna and John was unemployed when they were offered a job working with plastic and rubbish in Morogoro. She has developed a whole new attitude towards recycling and waste sorting.
NCA aims to support and inspire civil society and faith-based actors to become strong advocates for climate resilience and climate justice. We engage in networks such as ACT Alliance, including the Climate Justice Reference Group and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Community of Practice.
NCA is also a member of the Anticipation Hub, a global platform for knowledge exchange and advocacy on anticipatory action. As a signatory to the Climate and Environment Charter for Humanitarian Organisations, NCA is committed to collective and coordinated action on the climate and environmental crises.
Training farmers with tech
On Pemba Island, Tanzania, Hamida Nassor Amir is transforming farming. Using solar-powered projectors, she trains local farmers in modern techniques, from drip irrigation to crop protection, right from her living room.
So far, she’s trained 126 farmers at home, helping boost yields and fight climate challenges. Her efforts are part of a wider initiative by Norwegian Church Aid, which has reached over 55,000 small-scale farmers through digital tools like the Jambomaisha platform.
“We’re seeing real change,” Hamida says. “Better harvests, more knowledge, and new hope.”
In Tanzania we work with addressing and changing negative mindsets about farming as well as training in climate-smart agriculture and market access. So far, 600 young people have come out of unemployment. One of them is Mauvi.
Smart climate solutions for agriculture
How can we make people able to grow food despite droughts? In Zambia, Norwegian Church Aid and our partners have contributed to access to water and provided training in climate-smart agriculture.
When a heavy drought hit Zambia, those who had participated in these projects were able to grow food despite the drought. These people have received access to water and have been trained in drip irrigation. This is a cultivation method that does not require much water and allows crops to grow even during periods of drought. A solar-powered water pump draws water up from the ground. The water is then fed to the plants through hoses with small holes.
In this way, we strengthen local communities so that they are better equipped to deal with climate change, avoid hunger, and generate income.
Think big! Upscaling is an important work for Norwegian Church Aid. From field to the market and to bigger chains of business.
Because of the challenges in Lebanon connected climate change, Ali started production of vegetables in a greenhouse. Now he has expanded, but also financing his studies as a musician.
