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| Photo: UNICEF |
Viet Nam is one of the countries particularly exposed to climate change risks and children are disproportionately affected. Severe climate-induced shocks –such as droughts, typhoons, landslides and floods– have become a harsh reality for millions of children and their families. Increasingly frequent and intense climate events result in disruptions to essential healthcare, nutrition, education, social and child protection services - harming children’s ability to survive, thrive and develop to their full potential.
The devastating impact of climate disasters became visible two months ago when Typhoon Yagi hit large parts of northern Viet Nam. Storms, landslides and flash floods forced thousands from their homes and shattered communities. More than 318 people lost their lives and almost 2,000 were injured, with schools, health facilities and critical infrastructure destroyed or severely damaged. And children and families are still struggling to recover and rebuild.
“Typhoon Yagi drove home the truth that climate change is devastating communities. This isn’t the next generation’s problem, it’s already ours. Collectively we must do everything we can to protect children and their families from climate change and the devastation it leaves in its wake. Every child has the right to a safe and liveable future,” said Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam.
Marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) annually on 20 November, this year’s theme for Viet Nam is aligned with CRC General Comment No. 26, adopted by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2023, which emphasizes children’s right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as vital to their overall well-being.
"Viet Nam is at a critical juncture in addressing the increasing impacts of climate change on its youngest citizens. The government remains persistent in its commitment to advancing policies and partnerships that protect children from climate-related risks, while also promoting sustainable development. Through collective, tireless efforts, we have the capacity to convert adversities like Typhoon Yagi into catalysts for progressive development. This approach guarantees that every child can look forward to a future that is not only safe and healthy, but also filled with potential," said Vice Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
To highlight the importance of strengthening climate resilience of communities and finding long-term solutions, the Young Voices for Climate Action event took place today in Ha Noi to promote collective climate action and empower children to be at the heart of Viet Nam’s climate response. Government, development and civil society partners as well as climate advocates, children and youth emphasized the need for climate crises such as Typhoon Yagi to be transformed into opportunities for learning, resilience-building and action. Effective climate action requires broad-based partnerships between public and private sector, communities, children and youth in order to accelerate climate-smart solutions for all social sectors that can ensure safe and healthy lives for all children.
In his remarks, H.E Mr. Ito Naoki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Viet Nam underscored the collaborative efforts between the Japanese and Vietnamese governments on various disaster management initiatives. He also highlighted the assistance being extended through UNICEF, targeting children, a group highly vulnerable to the impacts of the disaster. “The Japanese government intends to continue to contribute to disaster risk reduction for vulnerable children in the field of climate change in Viet Nam, for example, through the horizontal development of disaster drills focused on children, and by supporting the reconstruction of primary schools and evacuation centers damaged by the recent typhoon”, he concluded.
The State of the World’s Children 2024: The Future of Childhood in a Changing World warns that the future of childhood hangs in the balance unless urgent action is taken to safeguard children’s rights in a changing world. It forecasts that three major megatrends –climate and environmental crises, demographic change and breakthrough technologies– will impact children’s lives by 2050 and beyond.
In response, the report underscores the importance of placing child rights, as outlined in the CRC, in all strategies, policies and actions. It calls for investing in education, services, and sustainable and resilient cities for children, expanding climate resilience in infrastructure, technology, essential services and social support systems as well as delivering connectivity and safe technology designs for all children./.