Challenges

As greenhouse gas emissions continue to hit record highs and temperatures continue to rise, children in Viet Nam are experiencing more frequent, severe and destructive climate hazards. Over the past seven years, the country has faced unprecedented large-scale disasters that have caused extensive losses and damage to millions of children, their families and communities. Children, especially those from the low-lying coastal Deltas such as the Mekong Delta, are even more vulnerable to such disasters. As day-to-day life is increasingly affected by climate change, these communities are particularly susceptible to issues caused by increasing saltwater intrusion, violent storms, sea-level rise, and land loss due to coastal erosion.

When disaster strikes, adults struggle initially but can often return to life relatively quickly. Children, however, are more severely affected. Depending on the severity and the length of the disaster, they can suffer lifelong consequences due to their physical and psychosocial vulnerability. By raising children’s awareness and equipping them with knowledge and skills in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, children can protect themselves and transfer their knowledge to peers, family members, community and their own children.

Toward a Solution

Since the beginning of 2022, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Viet Nam, with support from the Government of Japan, has been implementing a four-year project to enhance resilience to disaster risk and climate change for children. Implemented by Viet Nam Disaster Management Authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, other line ministries and partners, the project aims to equip children, families and communities with knowledge and life skills to cope with climate change and natural disasters in the Mekong Delta and Central regions.

Three main activities were conducted in 2022, including a painting event, a “ring the golden bell” debate contest and the Viet Nam National Disaster Prevention and Control Week ceremony.

Under the theme “Together with children to prevent and respond to natural disasters and create a sustainable future,” the painting event was organized as a part of extracurricular activities for 770 primary school students aged 6 to 10. Students participated individually or in groups, freely using their imagination to draw pictures with the content showing their own perspectives on the impact of natural disasters, measures to reduce disaster risks, improve preparedness in their families, school and communities, as well as their initiatives, solutions and dreams about a society safe from natural disasters and adverse impacts of climate change. These paintings were also used as communication materials of the Viet Nam Disaster Management Authority (VDMA) and UNICEF about children’s participation as agents of change in the fight against climate crisis. The “Ring the Golden Bell” contest was organized in the form of a series of exciting debates and quiz games among different groups of students. The questions related to climate change, natural disaster prevention and control, at levels appropriate to the knowledge and skills of teenagers. 430 secondary school students aged 11 to 15 years at Lai Hoa Primary and Secondary School participated. Winners were awarded prizes at the Viet Nam National Disaster Prevention and Control Week ceremony, held at Lai Hoa Primary and Secondary School with the participation of over a thousand children and teachers, the Embassy of Japan, representatives of Central and 13 Mekong provincial authorities, mass organizations and UNICEF. It was the highlight of the Viet Nam National Disaster Prevention and Control Week and was broadcasted nationwide on Viet Nam Television.

In these activities, UNICEF has taken a child-centred climate action approach that identifies, assesses and reduces the potential loss of lives, health status, livelihoods, assets and services. It is of vital importance to empower children and get them involved in the preparedness for and response to natural disasters as children are the agents of change for their own lives and the future of their communities and countries. A quick assessment of the practice was carried out by VDMA. As the activities were highly appreciated by students and teachers, local communities as well as all stakeholders, VDMA is documenting the whole process and guidelines including the communication material on how to replicate these activities across 63 provinces in the country and beyond, with support from UNICEF.

Given that the Greater Mekong area covers several countries, the materials and activities UNICEF developed for Viet Nam are highly relevant and can be replicated in other countries in the region through South-South and triangular cooperation. Many countries facing similar challenges to Viet Nam could benefit from this experience, and UNICEF intends to support learning for and with other countries.