On Friday, the United Nations highlighted that children in Africa face an elevated risk from the consequences of climate change, yet they are alarmingly underserved by the critical financial support needed to enable their adaptation, resilience, and survival in the face of this crisis.
In a recent report from UNICEF, it has been revealed that children in 48 out of 49 African countries surveyed are designated as being at a high or extremely high risk in relation to the repercussions of climate change.
The evaluation was conducted by considering factors such as the exposure of children to climate and environmental crises, including events like cyclones and heatwaves, as well as their susceptibility to these crises, taking into account their access to essential services.
Africa is home to nations with minimal contributions to carbon emissions, yet it bears a disproportionately heavy burden of droughts, floods, storms, and heatwaves.
Bruno Pozzi, Deputy Director of the Ecosystems Division at the United Nations Environment Programme, highlighted the water stress affecting Africa, estimating its impact on approximately 250 million people on the continent at any given time. Given Africa's population of roughly one billion, this equates to one in four individuals being directly affected by water stress and the consequences of climate change.
The UNICEF report coincided with the upcoming inaugural Africa Climate Summit set to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, next week.
UNICEF underscored that less than three percent of global funding dedicated to addressing climate change is directed towards children, emphasizing the need for increased action, particularly from the private sector.
Pozzi emphasized, "More concerted efforts are thus required both at the local and international levels to bolster climate change adaptation and invest in climate solutions. The summit happening this week and next offers a prime opportunity to expedite action and fulfill the financial commitments made over the years, enabling us to make the crucial and immediate impact required in the coming decade."
UNICEF's findings reveal that children are inherently less resilient to and less capable of surviving hazards such as floods, droughts, storms, and heatwaves. Moreover, they are physiologically more susceptible to toxic substances, including lead and various forms of pollution.
The UN agency's research pinpointed the Central African Republic, Chad, Nigeria, Guinea, Somalia, and Guinea-Bissau as the countries where children are most acutely affected by these challenges.
%20(1)-Photoroom.png)