Report from Save the Children: 'In the Face of Disaster: Children and Climate Change'

The consensus on climate change is clear: it is already happening and is likely to lead to an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters.

The resulting impact on children is likely to be dramatic.- Malaria, currently responsible for the death of around 800,000 children under five years old in Africa each year, is set to increase. Climate change and its associated impacts also threaten to hinder the achievement of all the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly the commitments to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, and reduce child mortality.

Climate change will demand better disaster response and better preparedness.The United Nations (UN) estimates that for every $1 invested in risk management before the onset of a disaster, $7 of losses can be prevented.This demonstrates the case for disaster risk reduction to be mainstreamed into development planning and programming.For the millions of children who become displaced, lose a parent, become separated from their families, go hungry or become victims of exploitation because of a disaster, the status quo is not good enough.We know the international community can do much better.
To view the report, click here