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Children Displaced in a Changing Climate

2023

This report published by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) analyzes the number of children displaced by extreme weather-related events worldwide.  As global temperatures increase due to climate change, weather-related disasters like storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires have become more frequent and more intense, spurring the displacement of children and families, and leading to significant health impacts.  The report estimates that 43.1 million children were internally displaced by weather-related disasters from 2016 to 2021, 95 percent of which were driven by floods and storms. The report also predicts the future risk of child displacement, finding that flooding rivers and storm winds will be the greatest cause of displacement for children in the future. 

The report includes case examples, an annex defining key terms and concepts, and recommendations for policymakers to protect, prepare, and prioritize children and young people who are and will be impacted by climate-driven displacement.

Source:

Children Displaced in a Changing Climate: Preparing for a Future Already Underway. United Nations Children's Fund 2023. https://www.unicef.org/reports/children-displaced-changing-climate.