UNICEF’s pledge to support the Kano State government in tackling the consequences of climate change on children has been reiterated.
The collaboration aims to provide essential resources and implement sustainable solutions to protect vulnerable children from the impacts of environmental degradation. This partnership underscores the importance of prioritizing the well-being of children in the face of climate-related challenges.
This was said on Tuesday in Kano at a stakeholder engagement on the review of the Alf Kano State Climate Change Policy and Development Implementation Plan by Stella Terver, UNICEF WASH program officer in the Kano field office.
According to Mr. Terver, the organization’s goal was to guarantee children’s survival, well-being, and realization of their rights.
She urged a shared commitment to creating a safer, healthier environment for children and called for specific policies to be included in Nigeria’s climate change plans to address their vulnerabilities.
The officer went on to say that the organization was committed to supporting children, stating that they were essential to society’s future and should have the opportunity to live a life that was full of dignity and opportunity.
She claimed that because UNICEF stood up for children, the organization had been assisting the Kano State administration with initiatives.
Every time we discuss climate change, we bring up the effects it has on Kano State’s children.
Everything we do, including WASH, education, health, policy, and child protection, is aimed at children.
The important thing that we are looking at today is helping the state government make sure that the policy document considers the impact that climate change has on children in a global context,” she said.
UNICEF will keep assisting the government with climate change challenges, she said.
Nasiru Garo, the Environment Commissioner, had earlier called the event a crucial step in addressing the existential threat posed by climate change.
He said that the approval of the draft Kano State Climate Change Policy is a significant step toward climate resilience and sustainable development for Kano State and the surrounding area.
“As we are witnessing in the Sahel and northern Nigeria, the realities of climate change are no longer remote or abstract.
Food insecurity is a result of frequent droughts that jeopardize agricultural productivity. irregular rainfall patterns that cause planting seasons to be disrupted.
Communities are being forced to relocate as a result of desertification encroaching on agricultural lands. Flooding and heat waves cause infrastructure damage, displacement, and serious health hazards.
In addition to undermining livelihoods and economic advancement, Mr. Garo stated that if these issues are not resolved, poverty will deepen, disputes over natural resources will escalate, and social institutions will be strained.
He emphasized the urgent need for sustainable solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities. Mr. Garo also highlighted the importance of international cooperation and support in addressing these complex challenges.
