The high expenses of hotels, travel restrictions due to COVID-19, and quarantine regulations are causing worry among activists from developing nations like Dickson, who fear that their voices may not be heard at the COP26 conference in Glasgow from Oct 31-Nov 12. Reuters interviewed activists from countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Uganda. While some had managed to secure funding, visas, and vaccinations to attend the summit, others had given up. Despite the challenges, Dickson remains determined to attend COP26, where he plans to share his firsthand experience of trying to study in extreme heat. He believes it is essential for developed countries to listen to the stories of those most affected by climate change. The 28-year-old representing Nigeria’s Eco Clean Active NGO is still seeking funding for his trip, which he estimates will cost over $4,000 including accommodation and quarantine. He is concerned about the lack of representation from the African continent at the COP summit. The summit’s British hosts are providing some funding assistance and vaccines for delegates in need. Efforts are being made to ensure an inclusive, accessible, and safe summit in Glasgow with COVID mitigation measures in place. Delegates have the option of fairly-priced accommodation provided by government-approved hotel provider MCI. The United Kingdom recently lifted quarantine requirements for 47 countries, saving delegates from countries like South Africa and India the cost of a 10-day hotel quarantine. In the previous month, it was announced that quarantine costs for delegates from countries on the UK's COVID-19 travel "red list" would be covered. This currently includes seven states such as Colombia and Venezuela. However, some potential delegates have reported difficulties accessing this assistance or feel that it is insufficient. There are also opinions that their own governments should be taking more steps to ensure their attendance at the event. Mitzi Jonelle Tan, an activist with the Philippines-based youth movement Fridays for Future, described the challenges of obtaining visas and dealing with quarantine regulations as a nightmare. The youth movement is planning to send approximately 55 delegates from regions that are at risk of climate change to COP26, but Tan mentioned that some individuals had to withdraw before the UK updated its quarantine guidelines. The UK government is preparing for COP26 with an expected attendance of 25,000 people, however, a delegate list has not been released yet. Hotel prices for the 12-day conference on Booking.com start at 291 pounds per night, totaling 3,486 pounds. This high cost deterred 23-year-old Ugandan climate justice advocate Nyombi Morris from attending, as he had hoped to address concerns about EU biomass energy policies on forests. Morris declined the UK's accreditation offer due to lack of financial support, but remains hopeful to confront the issue in the future. Homestay groups are making an effort to offer more affordable accommodation for delegates attending COP26 in Glasgow, but they are struggling to keep up with the high demand. The Human Hotel network has managed to secure beds in local homes for around 600 delegates, but there are thousands more who want to attend but cannot afford the expensive hotel prices in Scotland, according to the network's community manager Michael Yule. Some people are choosing to skip the event due to health risks and travel complications caused by the pandemic, including Li Shuo, a senior climate adviser at Greenpeace China in Beijing, who has attended every COP since 2010 but will be missing this one. "I believe that the reduced number of NGOs attending will highlight the fact that there are voices that are not being heard. Government delegations that do not have direct travel routes to Glasgow are also facing logistical hurdles. For example, the Cook Islands in the South Pacific will not be sending a delegation, and other small island nations are struggling with visa issues. Nobert Nyandire, a climate activist in Nairobi, Kenya, recently received a COVID-19 vaccine through the UK government program. He plans to participate in COP26 to assist with the technical UN negotiations for Kenya's non-profit organization Sustainable Environmental Development Watch. However, he mentioned that some of his colleagues are still waiting for vaccines or have been deterred by the cost." Nyandire expressed uncertainty about the decisions that will be made if the individuals who are directly impacted and should be involved in the negotiations do not attend.