UN lays down guidelines to protect children displaced by climate change

Source: The post is based on the article “UN lays down guidelines to protect children displaced by climate change” published in Down To Earth on 26th July 2022.

What is the News?

United Nations-backed agencies have released “The Guiding Principles for Children on the Move in the Context of Climate Change”.

These are guidelines to provide the first-ever global policy framework to protect children displaced due to climate change.

What is the impact of Climate Change on Children?

One billion children – nearly half of the world’s 2.2 billion children – live in 33 countries classified as being at extremely high risk of the impacts of climate change. 

Nearly 10 million children were displaced following weather-related shocks in 2020 alone.

Adverse Impact: Children who move in the context of climate change may be exposed to a variety of risks such as abuse, trafficking, exploitation and other forms of maltreatment. They may lose access to education, be forced into labour and endure poor living conditions. There also remain many unmet protection needs.

What are the guidelines for Children on the move in the context of climate change?

These guidelines are a joint initiative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Georgetown University, and the United Nations University.

It contains a set of nine principles that address the unique vulnerabilities of children who have been uprooted. The guidelines cover both internal as well cross-border migrations.

The nine principles are: 1) Rights-based approach, 2) Best interests of the child, 3) Accountability, 4) Awareness and participation in decision-making, 5) Family unity, 6) Protection, safety, and security, 7) Access to education, health care, and social services, 8) Non-discrimination and 9) Nationality.