Climate change: SCI calls for investment in child-sensitive interventions

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria, has called on the federal government and major stakeholders to ensure investment in child-sensitive interventions.

SCI stated this on Thursday during the launch of “Generation Hope” campaign.

Speaking at the launch, Country Director of Save the Children International, Famari Barro said SCI aims to contribute to building climate resilience for children, their families, and communities through shockresponsive measures.

Represented by the Director of Advocacy, Campaign, Communication and Media, Amanuel Mamo, Barro harped on the need to drive political commitment and accountability to address the imminent climate crisis, limit global warming, and promote effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Barro said temperature increases, variable rainfall, rising sea levels, drought, desertification, extreme weather events and loss of biodiversity are some of the challenges the country is grappling with.

The Country Director said women and Children, who are the most vulnerable, bear the brunt of these adverse effects.

Barro said many children have experienced worst and are still experiencing the devastating impact of climate change first-hand, such as extreme temperatures, flooding, erosion, landslide, and drought – resulting in an increased inequality, displacement or migration of communities, crop failure, low food production/hunger, extreme poverty, malnutrition, conflict and lack of access to basic social and development services including education, health and protection services.

On his part, SCI, Advocacy, Campaign, Communication and Media Director, Amanuel Mamo who was represented by Advocacy, Campaign and Policy Manager Save the Children, International, Ifedilichukwu Ekene Innocent, said children are facing a barrage of challenges due to the climate crisis.

“Climate Change is occurring faster than anticipated and its effects are clearly felt everywhere in the world, with a disproportionate impact on vulnerable children and women.

“We have a tradition of branding our campaigns according to global trends. In recognizing the impact of climate change on almost all aspects of children’s lives, the new campaign, Generation Hope, was launched in 2022. “

He called for urgent action on the climate crisis and inequality to create a safe, healthy and happy future for children.

He said the campaign envisions a world that cares for children and their planet by demanding action to address the connected crises of economic inequality and the climate emergency.

“We want to contribute to reducing the impact of climate change and inspire public and political action to guarantee children’s right to a clean and safe environment in Nigeria,” He said .

While joining the discuss, the Director, Department of Climate change, Ministry of Environment, Dr. Iniobong Abiola -Awe said climate change cut across continents, affecting many countries.

She called on stakeholders in the country to join hands and secure the society from devastating effects of climate change.