Aiming for 100,000 Saplings in Support of Climate Neutrality by 2050

Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka – 11 July 2025

IHRC and Sri Hela Foundation Unite for Environmental Action

The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), in partnership with the Sri Hela Cultural Cooperation Foundation, has officially launched a large-scale tree planting initiative in Sri Lanka. The project, which commenced on 11 July 2025 in Diyahondawewa village, Kuruwita Divisional Secretariat, Ratnapura District, aims to plant 100,000 saplings as a concrete step toward combating climate change and fostering environmental stewardship. The initiative aligns with the European Climate Agreement’s target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

Leadership and Community Engagement

The project operates under the direct supervision of Dr. Chrishantha Dissanayake, Commissioner for Sri Lanka at the International Human Rights Commission. Titled “Let’s Plant a Sapling to Give the Future Generation a Breath,” the programme will gradually expand to other regions of Sri Lanka.
Mr. Anura Witarana, IHRC Zonal Coordinator, has been appointed Chairman of the project and will lead its day-to-day execution and community mobilisation.

“Human rights are not just a legal matter. The International Human Rights Commission stands for all human rights, and we are at the forefront of world peace and humanitarian missions. We will step forward and assist in such humanitarian missions at any moment.”
— Dr. Chrishantha Dissanayake, Commissioner, IHRC Sri Lanka / Founder and Chairman, Sri Hela Cultural Cooperation Foundation

Broad Participation and Recognition

The launch event was attended by key figures, including Dr. Dissanayake (also Founder/Chairman/Director-General of the Sri Hela Cultural Foundation), the Divisional Secretary of Kuruwita, the Officer-in-Charge of Kuruwita Police, regional and zonal IHRC coordinators, volunteers, and representatives of Diyahondawewa village – including the Grama Niladhari, a development officer, farmer’s society officials, and local villagers.
Notable participants included: Mr. S. Prabakar, Mr. Anura Vitharana, Mr. Udara Rathnayake, Mr. Vihaga Deshapriya, Mrs. Nisansala Wijekoon, Mrs. Dilki Saumya, Mr. Sarath Kumara, and others.

As a mark of appreciation, all participants received official certificates signed by Prof. Rafael Wasik, Secretary of the International Human Rights Commission, and Dr. Chrishantha Dissanayake.

A Commitment to Future Generations

This tree planting initiative reflects IHRC’s belief that environmental protection is a fundamental human right and a pillar of global peace and sustainable development. By engaging communities, authorities, and civil society, IHRC and the Sri Hela Cultural Foundation aim to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Reported by:

Anura Vitharana
Zonal Volunteer Coordinator – IHRC Sri Lanka

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Over 42,000 Affected as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Nigeria’s North-East

Adamawa State, Nigeria – 5 August 2025

Disaster Assessment Reveals Scale of Tragedy

The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) Corporation Nigeria has released a comprehensive disaster report following severe flooding across six Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Adamawa State: Yola South, Yola North, Numan, Demsa, Girei, and Lamurde. The crisis has left 6,732 households affected, 42,118 individuals impacted, 27 confirmed fatalities, 74 injured, and over 15,000 displaced, now seeking refuge in IDP camps and host communities.

The findings, based on a Rapid Needs and Risk Assessment conducted on 30 July 2025 by the IHRC Special Monitoring Mission, in collaboration with Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), DAWOS Foundation, AB Haske Foundation, and local authorities, document widespread destruction of homes, farmland, sanitation, and increasing risks of gender-based violence, disease outbreaks, and food insecurity.

IHRC Humanitarian Response and Partnerships

IHRC deployed emergency teams to deliver urgent relief, including:

• Distribution of Non-Food Items (NFIs) to over 850 households: blankets, dignity kits, mosquito nets, utensils,
• Essential medications for malaria, typhoid, and infections, in partnership with local health agencies,
• Psychosocial and protection support – including group therapy for women, children, and the elderly.

“The spirit of cooperation and urgency shown by Adamawa State officials is deeply commendable. Their partnership with IHRC ensured that thousands of affected citizens received not just attention but real assistance. This is a model worthy of national replication.”
— Comrade Elijah Vitus Echendu, National Coordinator, IHRC Special Monitoring Mission Nigeria

Leadership Commendations and Strategic Appeal

His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, Head of IHRC Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, described the flood disaster as a part of a growing national emergency. He urged strategic, rights-based, and united responses:

“What we see in Adamawa is not isolated. Floods are recurring and threatening multiple states across Nigeria. This demands a coordinated, strategic, and rights-based national response.”

Ambassador Duru also:

• Commended the IHRC North-East team for their exemplary work,
• Called for deeper institutional cooperation between government and humanitarian actors,
• Urged joint flood mitigation and early warning systems, and investment in recovery and preparedness.

“Let this be a turning point—where the government and IHRC work shoulder-to-shoulder to prevent avoidable suffering and build a Nigeria where disaster response is swift, coordinated, and dignified.”

Key Humanitarian and Recovery Priorities Identified

IHRC highlights the following urgent needs:

• Food assistance for displaced families,
• Restoration of clean water and sanitation infrastructure,
• Provision of safe, durable shelters,
• Sustained psychosocial support,
• Livelihood restoration and income generation.

Additional recommendations:

• Improved access and logistics for aid agencies in hard-to-reach regions,
• Long-term investment in flood mitigation, climate awareness, and disaster preparedness.

A Call for Systemic Reform and Shared Accountability

The 2025 Adamawa flood disaster is a stark reminder of the fragility of communities amid climate change. Through coordinated assessments and field interventions, IHRC is committed to advocacy and direct support for affected populations.

IHRC now calls on federal and state governments, international donors, and civil society to seize this moment for systemic humanitarian reform, resilience building, and shared accountability.

Reported by:

Fidelis Onakpoma
IHRC Head of Media and Strategic Communications Nigeria

The post 🌊 Flood Disaster in Adamawa: IHRC Calls for Urgent Action and Lasting Solutions first appeared on ihrc.news.

ABUJA – The International Human Rights Commission IHRC Corporation in Nigeria continues its steadfast commitment to holding businesses accountable for their human rights responsibilities, actively advocating for enhanced human rights protections within the corporate sector.

Experts emphasize that the Nigerian Policy on Business and Human Rights constitutes a vital component of a broader global initiative aimed at ensuring that businesses consistently adhere to international human rights standards throughout their operations and supply chains. This policy is directly aligned with prominent international frameworks, notably the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), which clearly delineate the obligations of states and enterprises in preventing human rights abuses.

In alignment with these objectives, the IHRC actively participated in the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Business and Human Rights Round-table Meeting on May 7, 2025, held at the United Nations Building in Abuja. This significant meeting focused extensively on the crucial role businesses play in respecting and advancing human rights within their operational frameworks.

Delivering the keynote address, Victoria de Mello, UNDP Regional Project Coordinator on Business and Human Rights, underscored the imperative of proactive business engagement in addressing human rights challenges. She stressed the necessity for businesses to possess the essential tools and knowledge required to comply effectively with international human rights standards. The event offered IHRC a valuable opportunity to collaborate strategically with diverse stakeholders, furthering its mission to enhance human rights protections within the business community.

During the meeting, the IHRC Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, highlighted critical elements of the Business and Human Rights Policies outlined within Nigeria’s National Action Plan. These policies detail comprehensive mechanisms designed to monitor and evaluate corporate adherence to human rights standards, aiming ultimately to foster greater business accountability for human rights impacts and support the cultivation of a more sustainable and ethically responsible business environment.

Representing Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, the IHRC’s delegation, led by Fidelis Onakpoma, Head of Media and Strategic Communications, and Nnamdi Christian Anyagaigbo, Research and Development Officer, elucidated that these policies clearly articulate the responsibility of enterprises to uphold human rights standards across their operations and supply chains. Essential components typically include explicit guidelines for due diligence, transparent reporting, and accessible grievance mechanisms.

Furthermore, IHRC representatives expressed concern regarding prevailing issues of widespread corruption, ineffective governance structures, and implementation deficiencies that severely hinder the enforcement of these policies within Nigeria. The commission advocates strongly for establishing a robust civil society coalition, designed to initiate and support practical interventions addressing these systemic challenges, thereby ensuring effective policy enforcement.

In conclusion, the IHRC emphasized the critical importance of strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing corporate accountability mechanisms, promoting widespread awareness, and guaranteeing access to justice as essential steps toward significant improvements in Nigeria’s business and human rights environment.

Reported by:
Fidelis Onakpoma
Head of Media and Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria

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