As 65% of children in the Asia-Pacific region have experienced four or more climate and environmental shocks in 2022 alone, ChildFund International has launched a comprehensive framework to build the resilience of children, families, and communities.
This framework aims to protect children from the devastating impacts of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and other environmental hazards.
“The climate crisis is a child rights crisis. Children are disproportionately affected during climate crisis,” said Hanneke Oudkerk, Regional Director, Asia, ChildFund International.
“Engaging with children and young people meaningfully is key to finding climate actions for the young people by the young people. By investing in the resilience of children and their communities, we can build a more sustainable and equitable future for all, where children can grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe,” Oudkerk added.
The framework, launched in Manila on October 21, focuses on three key pathways: Child, Family and Community Resilience; Child and Youth Inclusive Policy and Engagement; and Environmental and Climate Justice/Equity. By addressing these areas, ChildFund International seeks to create a more resilient and equitable future for children in the region.
Key outcomes aimed by the framework include:
- Building community resilience: Communities adopting climate-smart and nature-based solutions; children, families, and communities able to adapt to and recover from climate-related shocks; and universal access to sufficient, safe, clean water, and nutritious food.
- Child Participation and Youth Engagement: Improved awareness of climate change impacts; amplified child and youth voices influencing decision-makers; and climate-adaptive systems that include vulnerable communities.
- Climate Justice/Equity: Inclusive plans for marginalized communities; climate adaptation and mitigation plans with financing at all levels; carbon reduction aligned with historical and current emissions; and the inclusion of most disadvantaged communities in decision-making.
ChildFund International has identified two “breakthrough pathways” for systemic change: building a social movement of like-minded individuals and leveraging the power of children’s voices through youth engagement and leadership.
“The launch of a regional climate action framework will guide our efforts and foster collaboration across Asia and the Pacific. It will strengthen our ongoing efforts on locally led disaster risk reduction equipping children, youth, families, communities, local government units, and civil society partners to respond and build resilience, to ensure a united front towards disaster risk reduction and climate resilience,” said Anand Vishwakarma, Country Director of ChildFund Philippines.
ChildFund International calls upon governments, businesses, and civil society organizations to support the implementation of this framework and prioritize the protection of children in the face of climate change.
