KOICA and UNICEF Partner to Shield Vulnerable Children from Climate Crisis

Charity Chikara

In a significant move to combat the growing threats of climate change, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have joined forces in an aim to safeguard the well-being of the most vulnerable children on the frontlines of this crisis.

With a $39 million grant, the first of its kind, from the Korean government, this initiative marks a new chapter in climate resilience for children in Asia and Africa. Over the next three years, the program will focus on strengthening critical social services in East Asia and the Pacific, as well as Eastern and Southern Africa.

This vital support will target essential services like healthcare, education, water, and food security. By bolstering these areas, the program aims to shield children from the escalating impacts of climate-induced disasters.

UNICEF’s Programme Group Leadership Team Director George Laryea-Adjei, highlights the urgency of this partnership. Children in these regions are facing a harsh reality, experiencing up to six times more climate disasters compared to their grandparents’ generation.

The initiative prioritizes building climate-resilient infrastructure and services. This aligns with the broader goal of protecting children’s rights in the face of worsening environmental challenges.

Focusing on particularly vulnerable areas, the program targets Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Comoros, and Zimbabwe. Through research, capacity building, and collaboration across different sectors, the program aims to reach over 120,000 individuals, including 48,000 children, with these crucial climate-resilient interventions.