Children are on the frontline of the climate crisis.
The situation is becoming more urgent as extreme weather events become increasingly common across the globe.
Ameera stands outside her home in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, which was heavily damaged by recent floods.
Escaping the flood: Ameera's tale of resilience.
"The evacuation centre gets very crowded. We have to fight to use the toilet. It is not a fun experience. And after the floods subside, we have to clean the house before we can return home." Ameera
In Malaysia, 10-year-old Ameera faced a life-changing night when floodwaters suddenly rose around her home in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan. Her parents woke her up at midnight, urging her to leave as the water quickly filled their house. With no time to spare, they climbed into a small boat and paddled through the dark waters to reach the nearest evacuation center.
Conditions at the center were harsh, with hundreds of people vying for basic necessities like clean water and toilets. For days, Ameera and other children dealt with overcrowding and discomfort. When the floods finally receded, they returned home to find it covered in mud and debris, requiring a tremendous effort to clean up.
Ameera's story reflects a growing reality for many children worldwide, who are forced to flee their homes and endure trauma due to climate-related disasters.
We need your support to help protect children from climate-related disasters everywhere.
Muhammad Hafiz, known as Abe Ha, points to the floodwater mark on their home in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, a striking reminder of when the water rose to the same height as his daughter, Ameera.
Equipping children worldwide with life-saving skills and resources.
UNICEF is committed to preparing children for emergencies through Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) education. With your support, we have already reached children and educators in vulnerable communities worldwide, equipping them with skills that can help them stay safe during crises.
Through hands-on activities like flood and landslide simulations and learning what to pack in an emergency backpack, children gain valuable knowledge that empowers them to act and protect themselves. Your contribution can help expand this lifesaving education to more children and communities globally, giving them the tools to face the future with confidence.
In addition to education, your generous donations provide critical resources to children in crisis situations, including:
- Hygiene Kits: Basic hygiene supplies to help children maintain their health and dignity during disasters.
- Emergency Food Rations: Nutritionally balanced food supplies to ensure children receive the sustenance they need to thrive, even in the most challenging circumstances.
- Blankets: Warm, safe blankets that offer comfort and warmth during evacuations or in temporary shelters.
Together, we can equip children with both the knowledge and resources they need to navigate emergencies, fostering resilience and hope in their lives.
Sufyan Aslam, UNICEF Malaysia Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Consultant, engaged with children during a training session at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Rantau Panjang 2, Kelantan This initiative empowers children and families to prepare for emergencies.
In 2023, workshops were conducted to develop DRR modules for primary students, and by 2024, 75 teachers and 54 state education officers were trained to equip schools with essential tools for disaster preparedness. While children are particularly vulnerable to climate change, they can also play a vital role in disaster risk reduction.
Abiraj, president of a child club in Nepal, leads fellow participants in planning disaster preparedness activities. He described the child-centered DRR training as highly practical.
“We explored and mapped the types of disasters we should be prepared for, learned basic search-and-rescue techniques and first aid, and participated in several simulation exercises,” said Abiraj. Through these activities, Abiraj and his peers are empowered to enhance their community's resilience in the face of emergencies.
Students at Van Lang Secondary School in Viet Tri City, Phu Tho province, participate in the Ring the Bell Quiz game titled “Together with Children, Prevent and Mitigate Natural Disasters – Creating a Sustainable Future.”
This engaging activity was part of the National Week for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control 2024, aimed at raising awareness and empowering children to play a vital role in disaster risk reduction.
We are global 🌎
UNICEF is active in more than 190 countries and territories. We can take successful approaches from one place in the world and adapt them to meet challenges elsewhere, helping drive results for children and young people at a global scale.
We save more lives for less money 👍
As one of the world’s largest buyers of lifesaving supplies such as vaccines and mosquito nets, UNICEF has unique leverage to negotiate the lowest prices. Buying big and being transparent enables us to shape markets, cut costs and increase efficiency – and, most importantly, save more lives.
We are ready to respond to emergencies, anytime, anywhere ⏳
UNICEF is on the ground before, during and after humanitarian emergencies. We can ship lifesaving and humanitarian supplies almost anywhere in the world within 72 hours.
We are an innovator: We always find new solutions for old problems 💡
Our innovation team uses new technologies and innovates new products to help us reach the hardest-to-reach children and communities and to achieve better results for children.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can securely make a one-time or/and monthly donation online on our website on the Donate Now button.
Your contribution may be of any amount with no limitations. No donation is too small, and any donation can help save children's lives.
In order to contribute to a fundamental change in the lives of vulnerable children, the longer you choose to get involved, the more powerful your donation will be. A child’s life can improve with your long-term, constant support. By donating, you become an active part of the solution and of the change process.
UNICEF asks for monthly contributions to help us provide sustainable long-term solutions to help children in around the world.
A monthly gift is a recurring gift amount that you choose to send each month, and it is even more impactful because you're helping children every single day.
Your monthly gift will also enable us to plan effectively in our upcoming work, reduce costs and most importantly, reach even more children in need. We couldn't continue our efforts without the support and generosity of monthly donors, and we hope you'll consider joining the UNICEF family.
Don't hesitate to contact our Donor Love Helpdesk Team at:
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 1300 30 0010 (Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm)
We are happy to assist you!