Climate Crisis: 43.1 Million Children Displaced by Weather Disasters in 6 Years, UNICEF Reveals

According to a report released by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), weather-related disasters have forced a staggering 43.1 million children to be displaced across 44 countries over the past six years. This means that an average of 20,000 children are uprooted every day due to climate-related events. UNICEF’s report, titled Children Displaced in a Changing Climate, is the first-ever global analysis of child displacements caused by floods, storms, droughts, and wildfires, and it also projects future trends in the next three decades. Catherine Russell, the Executive Director of UNICEF, emphasized the magnitude of the crisis and the devastating impact it has on children. She stated that It is terrifying for any child when a ferocious wildfire, storm, or flood barrels into their community. Russell further added that as the impacts of climate change escalate, so will the number of children forced to flee their homes. Urgent action is needed to prepare communities, protect children at risk of displacement, and support those who are already displaced. China and the Philippines topped the list in terms of the absolute number of child displacements, mainly due to their exposure to extreme weather events, large child populations, and improved early warning and evacuation capabilities. However, small island states such as Dominica and Vanuatu were the most severely affected by storms when considering the proportion of displaced children relative to the child population. On the other hand, Somalia and South Sudan bore the brunt of flooding-related displacements. Among the recorded child displacements between 2016 and 2021, floods and storms accounted for a staggering 40.9 million or 95% of the total. This can be attributed, in part, to better reporting and preemptive evacuation efforts. Droughts triggered over 1.3 million internal displacements of children, with Somalia being one of the most affected countries once again. Wildfires were responsible for 810,000 child displacements, with more than a third occurring in 2020 alone, mainly in Canada, Israel, and the United States. As countries gear up for the COP28 climate conference in November, UNICEF is urging governments, development partners, and the private sector to take immediate action to protect vulnerable children and young people from future displacement. The UN also called on governments to prepare children and youth to live in a climate-changed world by enhancing resilience and ensuring their participation in finding inclusive solutions. In conclusion, the alarming number of children displaced by weather disasters highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the climate crisis. It is crucial for governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the protection and well-being of children, who are the most vulnerable in these situations. By taking immediate action, we can work towards a future where children are not uprooted from their homes due to climate-related events.