The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reiterated its commitment to support the Kano State government in tackling the impact of climate change on children.
Stella Terver, UNICEF WASH programme officer in Kano field office, stated this on Tuesday in Kano at a stakeholders’ engagement on the review of the Alf Kano State Climate Change Policy and Development Implementation Plan.
Mr Terver noted that the organisation’s mission was to ensure that children survive, thrive and realise their rights.
She called for specific policies within Nigeria’s climate change plans to address their vulnerabilities and urged a collective commitment to foster a safer, healthier environment for children.
The officer added that the organisation remained dedicated to advocating for children, affirming that they were fundamental to the future of society and deserving of a life filled with opportunity and dignity.
She said UNICEF had been supporting the Kano State government on interventions because the organisation stood for children.
“Each time we talk climate change, we talk about how it impacts the children in Kano State.
“All we do is targeted at children, be it WASH, education, health, policy, child protection, all of them is targeted on children.
”Today, the climate change aspect we are looking at is to support the state government to ensure that the policy document has a global context that addresses the impact it has on the children; that is key,” she explained.
She said that UNICEF would continue to support the government on climate change issues.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment, Nasiru Garo, said the occasion was a critical step in confronting the existential threat of climate change.
According to him, this validation of the Draft Kano State Climate Change Policy marks a pivotal moment in pursuing sustainable development and climate resilience for Kano State and the broader region.
“The realities of climate change are no longer distant or abstract, across the Sahel and northern Nigeria, as we are seeing.
“Frequent droughts that threaten agricultural productivity, causing food insecurity. Unpredictable rainfall patterns that disrupt the planting seasons.
“Desertification encroaching on fertile lands and forcing communities to migrate. Heatwaves and flooding lead to severe health risks, displacement, and destruction of infrastructure.
“All these, if left unaddressed, the impacts will not only undermine livelihoods and economic progress but will also worsen poverty, increase conflicts over natural resources, and strain the social systems,” Mr Garo said.
(NAN)
