UNICEF Pakistan and the Ministry of Climate Change have announced a collaborative effort to build the resilience of education and health systems to equip children for a changing climate and protect them from the growing threat of climate change.
The announcement came after a meeting between Abdullah A. Fadil, UNICEF’s representative in Pakistan, and Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, held in Islamabad on September 4.
Children facing increased climate risks in Pakistan
During the meeting, both sides expressed their commitment to working closely to shield children from the severe consequences of climate-related disasters, including floods, heat waves, and diseases.
Romina Alam highlighted the urgent need for targeted interventions to protect children’s health, education, and overall well-being in the face of intensifying climate risks, according to Muhammad Saleem, spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination.
“What we have learned from recent climate change-caused disasters in Pakistan, is that the country, already one of the most climate-affected countries globally, is experiencing intensified impacts including extreme heat waves, flooding and shifting weather patterns,” Alam remarked.
Romina Khurshid Alam emphasized that Pakistan’s children are among the most vulnerable to climate change, with extreme weather events posing serious threats to their development and future prospects. “These climate disruptions are disproportionately affecting children, who are particularly sensitive to environmental changes due to their developing bodies and lower adaptive capacity.”
Key Interventions needed to safeguard children
The meeting underscored the importance of implementing sector-specific strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on children. Key areas of focus include:
- Healthcare: Strengthening healthcare infrastructure to address climate-induced health challenges, particularly maternal and child health.
- Education: Building resilient educational facilities and ensuring continuity of education during climate events.
- Mental Health: Providing mental health services and psychosocial support to children affected by climate-related stress and trauma.
- Community Resilience: Prioritizing climate adaptation efforts in rural and low-income areas to protect the most at-risk children.
Abdullah A. Fadil assured Romina Khurshid Alam of UNICEF’s full support in these efforts, both technically and non-technically, to help the government tackle the growing climate vulnerability among children.
This collaboration marks a critical step forward in ensuring that the youngest and most vulnerable members of society are protected from the escalating dangers posed by climate change.