Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Children in Africa are among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, yet they are woefully left behind in terms of funding to help them adapt, survive and respond to the climate crisis, UNICEF said. According to what was stated in the United Nations news bulletin, a copy of which we received this morning
In a report released on Friday, the UN agency classified children in 48 out of 49 African countries assessed as being at "high or very high risk" of the effects of climate change based on their exposure to climatic and environmental shocks, such as hurricanes and heat waves, as well as their vulnerability to those. Shocks.
UNICEF said in its report that children in the Central African Republic, Chad, Nigeria, Guinea, Somalia and Guinea-Bissau are most at risk.

Poor funding
The report also revealed that only 2.4 percent of multilateral climate finance can be categorized as supporting child-responsive activities, which equates to an average of about $71 million annually, and when youth are included, the figure rises to just 6.6 percent of funding.
“It is clear that the youngest members of African society are bearing the brunt of the harsh impacts of climate change. They are the least able to adapt, due to their physiological vulnerability and poor access to basic social services. We need to A stronger focus of funding on this group, so that they are equipped to face a life full of disruptions caused by climate change."
UNICEF drew attention to the fact that despite the significant progress made by almost all countries in providing basic services, persistent challenges contribute to increasing the vulnerability of children, including limited access to high-quality health and nutrition services, and a lack of safe water, sanitation and hygiene services. Limited access to quality education and high levels of poverty.

The role of adolescents in the solution
The UN agency issued its report ahead of the African Climate Summit in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, next Monday. Policymakers, business leaders and environmental activists from across the continent are expected to discuss ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and how to adapt to the growing fallout from the climate crisis.
According to UNICEF, children and youth play an essential role in change and long-term sustainability, so their ideas, creativity and skills must be taken seriously and become an integral part of solutions in the face of the climate crisis.
In this regard, the Agency, the United Nations Environment Program and the International Labor Organization are working with youth, governments, employers' and workers' organizations and the private sector to design and implement what is known as the Green Jobs Charter for Youth, which aims to develop 1 million new green jobs, transform 1 million existing jobs and assist 10 Thousands of young environmental entrepreneurs to start their businesses by 2030.
Ms. Rose Mwebaza, UNEP Regional Director for Africa, said that young people in Africa are bearing the worst impacts of climate change. “We are working to support countries to adapt and build resilience in a rapidly changing climate through nature-based solutions, as well as investing in young people with "The green skills and mindsets to support this urgent transformation. But to see results, we must see a radical increase in investment in a sustainable future for young Africans."

African Youth Association
In related news, the African Youth Climate Assembly 2023 was opened yesterday in Nairobi, ahead of the Africa Climate Summit. In a video message to the opening session, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on young leaders to mobilize and raise their voice to demand change.
Mr. Guterres stressed that African countries contribute "a negligible proportion to global emissions of greenhouse gases, but they suffer from extreme heat, severe floods and deadly droughts".
He noted that humanity has the power to change course, and that young people like those involved in the association "led the way" in this context.
“The passion and determination of young people around the world is responsible for so much of the climate action we have seen. You are the faces of climate leadership. I am asking you to move forward because we have the tools and technologies we need to protect ourselves from climate change,” added the Secretary-General.

Africa Climate Summit
The Africa Climate Summit comes as temperatures on the continent are rising faster than in many other parts of the world, causing more frequent extreme weather events and prolonged droughts.
Africa as a whole contributes less than 3 percent of total global emissions, and leaders are expected to step up calls during the summit for financial support to help the continent adapt to the climate crisis.