A recent report by UNICEF shows a concerning truth: over 43 million children were forced out of their homes from 2016 to 2021 because of severe weather events such as floods, storms, droughts, and wildfires. This means that 20,000 children were displaced from their communities every day during the six-year span.
The report, named “Children Displaced in a Changing Climate”, highlights the alarming effect of climate change on the world’s most vulnerable population.
The Disturbing Findings
Floods and storms were the main causes, accounting for 95% of recorded cases. Droughts and wildfires caused the rest.
East Asia and the Pacific were heavily affected by these displacements. Countries like the Philippines, India, and China witnessing the forced displacement of 23 million children altogether. These regions are prone to extreme weather and have evacuation plans in place to reduce risks.
Smaller island nations like Dominica and Vanuatu had the highest number of displaced children relative to their population due to storms.
On the other hand, South Sudan and Somalia had the highest proportion of child displacement due to flooding, with no evacuation plans in place.
Wildfires in the United States and Canada also caused child displacement, and it is expected that such incidents will increase in the future.
The Impact on Children
Displaced children face profound fear and disruption due to natural disasters. Temporary or long-term displacement exposes them to various risks, such as exploitation, trafficking, abuse, malnutrition, disease, and inadequate immunization.
In some cases, they are separated from their families, making them even more vulnerable.
A Call to Action
UNICEF highlights the need to protect children from the impacts of climate change-induced disasters. It urges child-focused services like education, health, nutrition, social protection, and child protection to be responsive, portable, and inclusive. It is crucial to prepare children for a climate-altered world and prioritize them in disaster and climate actions, policies, and investments.
As world leaders prepare for the COP28 Climate Change Summit in Dubai, UNICEF calls for action and collaboration to safeguard the most vulnerable – children who suffer the most from climate change.
In summary, the report reminds us that climate-driven displacement is a growing crisis, and swift and decisive action is needed to protect our most valuable resource: children.
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