Children on the Climate Frontlines: Nepal and Maldives Youth Lead the Way
From the towering peaks of Nepal to the sinking shores of the Maldives, children are confronting the harshest realities of climate change on a daily basis. In mountain villages, landslides triggered by erratic rainfall destroy homes and block access to schools. In island communities, rising seas swallow coastlines, forcing families to retreat as saltwater floods their homes and public infrastructure.
For children living on these climate frontlines, the crisis is no longer a distant or abstract concern—it is a lived experience that disrupts their education, threatens their health, and casts uncertainty over their futures.
Recognizing this, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is amplifying young voices and positioning children not just as victims of climate change, but as powerful agents of change. UN News spoke with UNICEF representatives in Nepal and the Maldives to explore how the agency is supporting child-inclusive climate action.
Everyday Struggles in the Himalayas and Island Nations
In a remote village of western Nepal, 11-year-old Sabu and her peers endure dangerous journeys to school. Heavy rains frequently trigger landslides and floods, turning roads into rivers of mud and washing away entire farms and settlements.
“Children live with anxiety and uncertainty,” said Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative in Nepal. “They cross flooded bridges, walk through treacherous terrain—and they do this every single day.”
Thousands of kilometers away, children in the Maldives grapple with a different reality. Sea surges erode their coastlines, destroy trees, and encroach on homes.
“Erosion is a daily reality here,” said Edward Addai, UNICEF Representative in the Maldives. “Children grow up seeing their environment literally disappearing, and live with the constant fear of losing their islands.”
Putting Children at the Center of Climate Solutions
UNICEF’s approach in both countries centers around one core principle: children must be at the heart of climate solutions.
In Nepal, this has led to the integration of climate education into the national curriculum. With support from UN agencies, schools are adopting green practices, such as rainwater harvesting and waste management, while teachers are being trained to promote resilience.
“We’re updating school safety frameworks to make them better able to withstand floods and other climate shocks,” said Akunga.
UNICEF also recently supported a youth-led climate dialogue during the Sagarmatha Sambaad (Everest Dialogue), where over 100 children and young people engaged with national policymakers and submitted a Children and Youth Declaration to Nepal’s Prime Minister.
In the Maldives, the focus is on building climate consciousness beyond the classroom. Environmental clubs are thriving in schools, providing platforms for children to take action and raise awareness in their communities. At the same time, UNICEF is working with health authorities to install solar energy systems in hospitals, replacing reliance on fossil fuels.
“These clubs are essential for developing leadership and connecting school activities to wider community goals,” Addai explained.
Climate Policy Through a Child’s Lens
Both countries are incorporating child-sensitive strategies into their climate policies and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
Nepal’s NDCs include commitments to establish green schools and climate-resilient infrastructure, with children actively participating in consultations. Their stories and lived experiences are shaping national policy.
In the Maldives, the emphasis is on clean water, healthcare access, and youth participation. Programs like “Youth Track to COP”—co-led by UNICEF and government agencies—prepare young people to engage in national and global climate forums, including COP28.
A Vision for the Future
The UNICEF officials underscored that true climate resilience means safeguarding children’s rights to education, health, and mental well-being—no matter the climate crisis.
“If we get it right for children, we get it right for society,” said Addai. “Ignoring children’s realities in climate planning is a failure. But when children are healthy, educated, and involved, entire communities benefit.”
Akunga added, “A child-inclusive climate plan means ensuring they can keep learning, accessing health care, and living without fear—even when the climate changes.”
Sabu’s Story: Courage and Leadership in a Crisis
Akunga shared a personal encounter with Sabu, the young girl from Nepal who now leads her peers in learning about traditional medicinal plants and protecting them from climate threats. She is bridging generations, drawing on the knowledge of elders, and sharing it with her community.
“She’s not just surviving; she’s leading,” said Akunga.
In the face of enormous challenges, children like Sabu are organizing, advocating, and building resilient futures—not just for themselves, but for their countries and the planet.
“Children are not just impacted by climate change,” Akunga emphasized, “they are essential partners in solving it.”
Source UN News
