In Nepal, climate change is no longer a distant threat for children; it's a harsh reality impacting their daily lives. Monsoon rains trigger devastating landslides in mountain villages, wiping out homes, farms, and roads, leaving children particularly vulnerable.
New Delhi, July 4,2025 – In the mountainous villages of Nepal, climate change is no longer a distant warning—it has become a harsh daily reality, especially for children. Torrential rains and landslides frequently destroy homes, farmland, and roads, and the youngest members of society are often the hardest hit.
According to Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative in Nepal, "It’s a heavy burden on children’s shoulders." Speaking to UN News, she emphasised that children must not only be protected from the impacts of climate change but also empowered to lead the fight against it.
“Children must be placed at the centre of climate solutions,” Akunga said. “They are not just victims; they can be powerful agents of change.”
From Victims to Change-Makers
Across Nepal, communities have begun to witness the alarming consequences of environmental instability—unpredictable weather patterns, flash floods, and food insecurity. In many regions, schools are closed for days after natural disasters, clean water becomes scarce, and health risks rise.
UNICEF argues that these challenges cannot be addressed without involving children directly. Akunga stresses the importance of educating children about sustainability, resilience, and climate adaptation. “If we want a sustainable future, we need to prepare the generation that will inherit it,” she noted.
A Call for Inclusive Climate Policies
UNICEF is advocating for governments and climate policymakers to ensure children’s voices are heard in climate discussions and planning. This includes integrating climate education in school curriculums, involving youth in local resilience projects, and providing safe platforms where children and adolescents can express their environmental concerns and solutions.
“Children in Nepal are already living the climate crisis. It’s time we listen to them,” Akunga concluded.
The Road Ahead
As global attention turns increasingly toward climate adaptation and resilience, Nepal stands as a stark reminder that climate change is not a problem of the future—it is happening now. And in this fight, children are not just stakeholders; they are frontline defenders of tomorrow.
