Floods have displaced no less than 650,000 Nigerian children in the last seven years, making the country the second with the most impacted children by climate change globally, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Monday.
The international not-for-profit organisation stated that the alarming displacement of Nigerian children by the floods occurred between 2016 and 2023.
In a press release issued to journalists, as part of activities to mark 2023 World Children’s Day (WCD) held every November 20, UNICEF added that more than 110 million Nigerian children are at risk of the consequences of temperatures, floods, droughts, and severe storms resulted from climate change.
The statement pointed out that the 2023 events across the country saw children from various regions, including Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Enugu, Sokoto, and Maiduguri, leading discussions on the significant impact of climate change on their lives and futures.
It partly read “The discussions covered various critical issues, including the direct health impacts of climate change on children, such as increased physical dangers, waterborne diseases, and malnutrition. The event also shed light on the alarming rate of child displacement due to environmental disasters, with 650,000 children displaced from 2016 to 2021 due to floods.
UNICEF Absorbs 20,800 Almajiris to Social Register in Katsina
“Nigeria, as the second most vulnerable country worldwide in terms of children’s exposure to climate change, faces severe challenges. Over 110 million Nigerian children are at risk, having confronted the harsh realities of rising temperatures, flooding, drought, and severe storms.
Dr. Salisu Dahiru, the Director General – National Council on Climate Change disclosed that Nigeria which is one of the countries that suffer adverse climate impacts, its response to climate change must be swift and holistic.
He urged for the inclusion of vulnerable people including children and women, at the decision-making level, as well as in the implementation of the National Climate Change Action Plan.
Meanwhile, the UNICEF, Bauchi State Field Office celebrated this year with the interschool quiz competition on climate change in Bauchi and Gombe.
Speaking at the events, the Officer in Charge, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Mr Clement Adams, said children must be celebrated and a better environment must be put in place for them to thrive.
While Government Junior Secondary School Hadejiawa in Shira local government won for Bauchi State, Government Girls Secondary School, Doma, took the first position in Gombe State.
The events were rounded up by visiting schools with tree planting projects as well as launching the planting of seedlings aimed at mitigating climate change.
