Worse, the number could triple if the countries do not comply with their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and to ensure that climate financing favors social and climatic resilience services for children.
The conclusion comes in a report by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (Clay) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), published Thursday in Panama.
Bearing the weight
The report examines the potential effects of extreme weather events on increasing poverty levels in children and young people, as well as national efforts to reduce GHG emissions as well as strategies to adapt and reduce loss and damage caused by climate change.
The 5.9 million figure represents the most optimistic scenario. However, if governments are slow to implement actions to deal with attenuation and adaptation, as well as losses and damage, The number could reach 17.9 million.
Roberto Benes, UNICEF regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, said that children and adolescents support the greatest burden on climate change.
Their developing bodies are more vulnerable to cyclones, heat waves and other extreme phenomena which at the same time disrupt the means of subsistence of their families and their education.
“If children and young people do not have the resources necessary to meet their basic needs and develop their potential, and if adequate social protection systems are not in place, the region’s inequalities will only be perpetuated,” he said.
Protect children and young people
However, despite their vulnerability, climate financing does not favor resilient health, nutrition, education, water and sanitation services that children and young people need, to ensure their optimal cognitive and physical development.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, Only 3.4% of all multilateral climatic finances are dedicated to childrenAccording to the report. This occurs at a time of financing reductions and reduction of development aid in the midst of unprecedented needs.
The report recommends that regional governments act, in particular by strengthening the climate resilience of social services and critical infrastructure to better protect children and young people, with a particular accent on the first 1000 days of life.
The authorities are invited to increase the financing of climate policy sensitive to children, with actions that specifically target the needs of children at different ages.
They must also promote greater awareness of climate, education, empowerment and participation of children and young people. In addition, environmental and climatic education should be included in school programs and educational programs.
The report also recommends that countries promote adaptive social protection and emergency intervention policies that take into account the specific needs of children and adolescents.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
