A new tale is emerging in a world where wonder and innocence once developed. The tale speaks of upheaval, uncertainty, and an urgent need for action. It is now clear that climate change is a powerful force that has the capacity to destroy not just entire landscapes but also the very foundation of our existence. It becomes obvious that this is more than just an environmental problem as we see its unrelenting effects on the earth and its people; rather, it is a tale that challenges each of us to assume responsibility for determining the course of our shared future.
The effects of climate change are undeniable and not a new topic for us. We are aware about the Climate Change. We’re seeing headlines every day about how changing climate patterns, rising sea levels and extreme weather events are having an impact on our planet. While we often hear about the environmental consequences. After UNICEF’s report on child displacement, a new story of innocence ruined by the effects of climate change is in the news
This month UNICEF presented its new report in which this child displacement affects the eyes of mankind.
According to the report ‘Children displaced in a changing climate: Preparing for a future already underway’– by UNICEF, Climate change results in weather-related disasters that force millions of children from their homes. It’s extensively clear that the climate is changing patterns of displacement, even though the relationship between displacement and climate change is complicated.
The report reflects an analysis of the most common weather-related disasters—droughts, wildfires, floods, and storms—that cause the greatest number of displaced people. According to the report, over a six-year period, there were 43.1 million internal child displacements linked to weather-related disasters, or about 20,000 child displacements every day. Storms and floods were the primary cause of nearly all child displacements (95 percent).
Read More: What is Global Warming?
Children displaced by weather events were statistically invisible until now. Displacement data rarely breaks down by age, and rapid urbanization, fragility, and conflict can make it easier for children to get lost.
Displacement, whether temporary or permanent, increases climate-related risks for children and families. Separating children from their parents or carers after a disaster increases the risk of exploitation, child trafficking, and abuse. Child malnutrition, disease, and inadequate immunization can result from displacement from education and healthcare.
How To Protect Child Displacement From Climate Change?
The report urges governments, donors, development partners, and the private sector to do the following in order to improve outcomes for children and young people who are at risk of being uprooted in the future:
- Make sure that child-critical services are inclusive, shock-responsive, and portable to safeguard children and youth from the effects of displacement and climate change, including those who have already experienced uprooting.
- Enhance the resilience and adaptive abilities of children and youth to better prepare them for life in a world where climate change is inevitable.
- Give children and youth the highest priority when it comes to development, humanitarian, and climate policy, action, and investments. This includes those who have already been uprooted from their homes.
It is impossible to ignore the complicated and pressing issue of how climate change affects displaced children. The welfare and well-being of these impressionable youth must come first even as we work to lessen the effects of climate change. In addition to other groups and people, UNICEF is essential in helping and promoting change. When we band together, we can improve the lives of children who have been uprooted due to climate change.
