'12m kids facing moderate to very high levels of disaster risks'

A new disaster risk modelling has shown that about 12 million children face moderate to very high levels and disaster risks in the country.

The Kenya Sub-National Children’s Climate and Disaster Risk Model that was launched on Tuesday shows that children in seven counties are in very high-risk category to climate and environmental shocks.

The very high-risk counties include Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa and Tana River.

“Children in an additional four counties (West Pokot, Kilifi, Isiolo and Kwale) are in the high-risk category,” the model, which is accompanied by the project analytical report, says.

Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng'eno and Unicef Kenya representative Shaheen Nilofer were present during the launch of the report at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

The report provides the first comprehensive view of children’s exposure and vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and other environmental shocks.

It presents key analytical findings of Kenya-specific subnational CCDRM, co-developed with the Climate Change Directorate of the Ministry of Environment in consultation with stakeholders.

Some of the stakeholders include the ministries of Health, Education, Water and Sanitation and National Environment Management Authority, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and Kenya Met, among others.

The model, which looked at 51 indicators, has a user-friendly and interactive online dashboard that will enable stakeholders to understand climate and disaster risk levels. 

It shows that about 2.4 million children live in counties with very high levels of risk to climate and environmental shocks.

Some of the indicators included child health and nutrition, education, water sanitation and hygiene, livelihood and social protection and child protection, among others.

The model further shows that approximately nine million children are exposed to droughts and water scarcity.

“Over 1.3 million are exposed to flood risks, and over 10 million are exposed to malaria risks,” the report says.

Children in Kenya constitute about 44 per cent of the population.

“Climate change adversely impacts Kenyan children when they cannot access school and quality education services due to extreme events, such as high temperatures, frequent droughts, rising food insecurity and malnutrition,” the report adds. 

Ng'eno said the country is experiencing firsthand, the impacts of climate change.

“The recent floods that devastated our infrastructure and, regrettably, claimed many lives, are still fresh in our minds. Tragically, many of those who perished were children and women," he said. 

"The delays in school openings this term due to the destruction of educational infrastructure by floods is a direct example of how climate change is affecting our children.”

The PS lauded the newly launched model for placing children at the forefront of climate action and disaster risk reduction efforts.

He highlighted how children and their communities are at risk of climate and disaster impacts in each county.

Ng’eno said that despite the alarming statistics in the report, only a small fraction less than 2.4 per cent—of global climate financing is directed toward children-centred interventions.

“The key findings I have highlighted emphasise the importance of this Model as a critical decision-making tool for guiding more targeted interventions for children," he said. 

"I strongly encourage all stakeholders, including development partners, to consider these findings when designing programmes and projects aimed at addressing children's vulnerabilities.”

The ministry will leverage the insights of the model during planning and policy development to ensure that their efforts are effectively tailored to meet the specific needs of children.

Ng’eno said there is a need to build the adaptive capacity of children and youth.

He urged Unicef and other development partners to support the government in that endeavour.

"Let us unite in our collective efforts to secure a sustainable and prosperous future for both the current and future generations. This is not just a responsibility but a moral imperative," he said. 

Unicef Kenya representative Nilofer said the report provides evidence for strategic and targeted climate change adaptation and resilience-building programming and targeted intervention planning.

She urged devolved units to make use of the model, adding that there is a need for urgent, targeted and swift interventions.

The model reveals that children in Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Makueni, Mombasa, Kitui, Homa Bay, Siaya, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nairobi and Isiolo are highly exposed to climatic and environmental shocks and stressors.