Save the Children launches campaign on child protection against climate change

Save the Children, the charity organisation, has launched an intervention campaign on child protection against climate change.

The campaign titled “Generation hope” was unveiled on Thursday in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Amanuel Mamo, Save the Children director of advocacy, communication and media, said the objective of the campaign is to address the climate crisis, limit global warming, and promote effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.

He said Nigeria like many other countries, is facing harsh realities of climate change, adding that children and women, who are the most vulnerable, bear the brunt of the adverse effects of the situation.

“Temperature increases, variable rainfall, rising sea levels, drought, desertification, extreme weather events, and loss of biodiversity are just some of the challenges this great nation is grappling with,” Mamo said.

“Unfortunately, women and children, who are the most vulnerable, bear the brunt of these adverse effects.

“Many children have experienced and are experiencing the devastating impact of climate change first-hand, such as extreme temperatures, flooding, erosion, landslide, and drought – resulting in 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.

“Other children are seeing children and communities in other countries who are suffering the impact of the climate crisis.

“I consider climate crisis as a global emergency. Hence, all states and governments need to very closely look at how and what they can do differently to minimize the effect of the global emergency called climate change.

“Considering these urgent concerns, Save the Children International Nigeria is delighted to launch a campaign called Generation Hope.

“The primary objective of this campaign is to enhance climate actions and secure commitments from the government of Nigeria, stakeholders and partners to invest in child-sensitive interventions.

“We aim to contribute to building climate resilience for children, their families, and communities through shock-responsive measures. Additionally, we seek to drive political commitments and accountability to address the imminent climate crisis, limit global warming, and promote effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.”

See photos from the event.