Climate change will worsen impact of disasters

As the G8 convened in Germany, Plan and other organisations warned that climate change will worsen the impact of disasters on millions of the world's most vulnerable people unless preventative action is taken.

Children working on risk maps to identify hazards facing their community

A coalition of relief and development agencies warned 600 delegates to the UN Disaster Reduction Conference in Switzerland that unsustainable development is causing climate change that in turn is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, and that governments must do more to assist the growing numbers of people affected by them.

The aid agencies stated state that not enough progress has been made in boosting vulnerable communities, and countries, resilience to disasters since the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in 2005.

Plan is engaged in a five-year multi-country programme of research, testing and sharing new ways of working that emphasise child-centred DRR. This programme is managed in line with the Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA), bringing into focus the role of children in implementing the HFA's aims.

Plan believes that building a community's resilience to disasters is a long-term development activity which is not simply an extension of humanitarian and relief interventions. Building resilience must address deep rooted and longer-term problems that can be reduced and even prevented when appropriate measures are taken. 

Children continue to be seen as mere victims of disasters rather than active agents of change who can make a real difference. Plan has found that children have much to contribute to disaster management efforts, in helping to reduce risks that are a direct threat to themselves as well as the wider population, and in taking direct action that can prevent disasters.

Children and youth have a right to participate in efforts to protect them from hazards and vulnerabilities, particularly through their participation in decisions and efforts to address disaster management and risk reduction.

Disasters around the world disrupt the lives of millions of children, and can force many into armed conflicts, prostitution, drugs trafficking and other dangerous activities leading to violation of their rights. During and immediately after emergencies, children's vulnerabilities increase, faced with greater threats of abuse, exploitation, harm and lack of care and a supportive environment.

In the years to come, children's vulnerability due to disasters is expected to increase. The impact of global warming is expected to result in up to 175 million children every year being affected by disasters brought about by climate change.