UNICEF Launches Communication Campaign Highlighting Climate Change Impact on Children in Zimbabwe
UNICEF has launched a communication campaign aimed at raising awareness about the profound impact of climate change on children in Zimbabwe.
The campaign, launched today, emphasises the urgent need to prioritise children’s well-being in climate change policies, strategies, and budgets, and advocates for increased funding for child-centred climate interventions.
“The Climate Change Crisis is a Child Rights Crisis,” stated UNICEF Zimbabwe, Communications Specialist, Elizabeth Mupfumira.
Urgent Action
Mupfumuri added, “We must act urgently on four fronts: prioritising children in climate change policies and budgets, empowering them to become environmental stewards, enabling their meaningful participation in the climate agenda, and providing climate resilience services in health, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, education, and protection.”
The devastating consequences of climate change pose a significant threat to children worldwide, including in Zimbabwe. The scarcity of safe water and food, compromised health, heightened vulnerability to exploitation and abuse, and even survival are among the pressing concerns.
Childhood Hazards
Children are increasingly exposed to environmental hazards such as flooding, droughts, heatwaves, cyclones, and air pollution, which not only endanger their lives but also disrupt their access to vital resources and infrastructure like schools, healthcare facilities, and playgrounds.
Zimbabwe, in particular, has experienced the adverse effects of climate change, including frequent and severe floods, tropical cyclones, droughts, and heatwaves. The country ranks high risk on the UNICEF Children’s Climate Risk Index for 2021, underscoring the urgency to address the issue comprehensively.
Youth Advocacy
Despite being the least responsible for climate change, children bear the heaviest burden. Unfortunately, their voices are often absent from climate change discussions. In response to this disparity, UNICEF’s communication campaign seeks to place children at the forefront of the climate change debate, ensuring their perspectives are heard and their rights protected.
To facilitate the campaign’s objectives, UNICEF has dedicated a section of its website, www.unicef.org/zimbabwe, to share studies, research, and stories related to climate change. The initiative will provide a platform for children to express their views, advocate for child-centered climate funding, and launch a petition campaign open for public participation.
Collaboration
In Zimbabwe, UNICEF collaborates with the government and partners to integrate children into climate change strategies and disaster response plans, ensuring their unique needs and rights are upheld.
As climate change continues to shape the future, UNICEF’s campaign serves as a rallying call for urgent action to safeguard the well-being and future of Zimbabwe’s children. With their inclusion and empowerment, a more resilient and sustainable future can be realized.
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