UNICEF East Asia and Pacific

A jam-packed week at the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (#APMCDRR2024) in Manila. UNICEF is supporting children and youth in making their voices heard in the discussions, with UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Director June Kunugi leading the way. A special highlight was Robyn Camille Patos Mijares, a member of UNICEF Philippines Kabataang Resilient Program, being honored with the DRR Rising Star Award! Her work exemplifies the passion and commitment of young leaders driving change in disaster risk reduction.

In northern Thailand, recent floods have left schools damaged and many closed, creating a challenging situation for students. While some schools have managed to reopen, children in the hardest-hit areas still face difficulties getting back to class. Among them, Nathanicha, 8 and Natwipa, 14, who are both feeling anxious about their uncertain return to school. Each day that passes without learning feels like a lost opportunity, adding to their worries. When children miss out on their studies, it creates gaps in their knowledge that can hurt their grades and learning. Some may even be at risk of falling behind or even dropping out altogether. For many, the situation adds additional stress and uncertainty, making it harder to focus on their studies. While the situation is unpredictable, UNICEF continues working with partners to provide essential supplies and support #ForEveryChild in need. 💙 👉 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eXEQSs2g UNICEF Thailand

New event alert! The virtual Road to COP29: Asia-Pacific Youth Briefing is happening on 4 November 2024 from 4-6 PM (GMT+7). Young people in Asia and the Pacific are invited to join this briefing to connect with young climate leaders and experts in the region, enhance their understanding of COP and UNFCCC negotiation processes, and build their capacities. The Youth Climate Action Lab: COP29 Edition is organized by YECAP in partnership with UNFCCC RCC for Asia and the Pacific, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific, Movers Programme, and Skill Our Future. The session will equip young climate leaders with the tools and resources needed to meaningfully engage in the multilateral climate processes at COP29. Scan the QR code to register now by 1 November or click here: https://lnkd.in/gN8g2Bki

Children and young people across East Asia and the Pacific are facing more-frequent and more-severe disasters, climate impacts and humanitarian crises than their grandparents did. At UNICEF, we believe every child deserves a safe learning environment where they can dream and thrive. Here’s how we’re working with governments and partners to make a safe learning environment a reality. 👉 Read more in our Comprehensive School Safety Advocacy Brief: https://uni.cf/4f6Wzla #APMCDRR #OurResilientFuture  Irwin Gabriel Lopez Asim Rehman Louise Gorton Myo-Zin Nyunt UNICEF Philippines UNICEF Viet Nam UNICEF Pacific Lely Djuhari APMCDRR PH

Children and young people from Asia-Pacific are ⚡ catalysts ⚡ in building resilience against disasters, actively taking concrete actions. They are: 🚨 conducting hazard and risk mapping 📣 raising awareness 🤝 forming youth networks 📱 leveraging tech and social media for alerts and early warnings in schools and communities With UNICEF Philippines, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and child rights organizations, they presented to duty bearers their collective statement of recommendations as champions of DRR and climate resilience at the #APMCDRR2024. Together, we underscored the vital role they play in shaping #OurResilientFuture. #SurgeTo2030 #ClimateAction #VoiceMatters #ForEveryChild 📷 UNICEF Philippines/2024/Iya Forbes

Climate change is impacting children's lives in East Asia and the Pacific, where 65% face four or more climate-related threats, such as floods and pollution—nearly double the global average. Without urgent action, these threats could derail their futures, leaving them vulnerable to violence, child marriage, labor exploitation, and serious health issues, with girls being the most affected. These challenges also jeopardize essential services that children depend on, like healthcare, clean water, and education. Critical services for children need to be climate-smart and disaster-resilient. 👉 Read more: https://uni.cf/402f7i9 #APMCDRR2024 #OurResilientFuture #ForEveryChild  UNICEF Philippines Irwin Gabriel Lopez Asim Rehman Louise Gorton June Kunugi

Children in East Asia and the Pacific face climate-related hazards six times more often than their grandparents did. This not only makes life harder for children - it also impacts entire communities, widening existing inequalities. Businesses are not immune to these challenges either. After disasters, small and medium-sized enterprises often encounter major disruptions. A family-owned shop, which has supported generations, may experience supply chain problems and damage to its facilities. This can lead to unstable markets and threaten people’s livelihoods. But here’s the good news: businesses can be part of the solution. By adopting family-friendly policies and sustainable practices, companies can protect their workforce and help communities bounce back. At the “Resilient Futures: Bridging Science and Business Solutions” side event of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, we explored how local businesses can help build stronger and more resilient communities. By setting up early warning systems that notify people of disasters and creating digital tools that connect community members, businesses can make a real difference in both cities and rural areas. Their actions can spark lasting, positive change. 👉 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/evZrQqtA #APMCDRR2024 #ForEveryChild  APMCDRR PH UNICEF Philippines Irwin Gabriel Lopez Asim Rehman June Kunugi Louise Gorton Romain Sibille Juan Ignacio Calvo Lely Djuhari Carmen Gonzalez Ortiz United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)

Over 50 children and youth from various organizations across the Philippines call for increased investment and support for youth-led community and school safety initiatives. Their statements, gathered from the National Children and Youth Consultation on Disaster Risk Reduction, will be presented to disaster risk reduction and climate change decision-makers at this week’s Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. #APMCDRR2024 #SurgeTo20230 #OurResilientFuture #ForEveryChild https://uni.cf/406pi5h

The Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience has started! If you are attending, please do join us TOMORROW on Wednesday, October 16th from 15:45-16:45 for the presentation of the Regional Guidance for ASEAN Member States on the Role of Social Workers and the Wider Social Service Workforce in Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience. Generous funding from the Government of Norway facilitated the development of this Regional Guidance. The ASEAN Secretariat Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Vilma B. Cabrera Director Jose Harry M. Barber vilayphong sisomvang Soranat Luesopon Tran Lan Nhi Rachel Harvey Stephanie Schwarz Asim Rehman Behzad Noubary Asep Zulhijar Sufyan Aslam Nomin Orgodol Myo-Zin Nyunt Kamille Ruiz Raweekarn (Paopao) Amarachgul Jennifer Merryweather Geir Michalsen Chiara Frisone Lely Djuhari Hugh Salmon Laura Healy Irwin Gabriel Lopez Issmail Nnafie Kirsten Di Martino Sazal Aminul #APMCDRR #Social Service Workforce in DRR and Climate Resilience

#EndFGM in Southeast Asia! More than 70 million girls in Southeast Asia have experienced #femalegenitalmutilation or cutting. For too long, this issue has been shrouded in silence. But change is coming! 💪 UNFPA #AsiaPacific and UNICEF East Asia and Pacific, with support from #Australia, have launched a regional programme to #BreakTheSilence on FGM/C in Southeast Asia. We're joining forces with partners across the region to gather data, advocate for change, and raise awareness. Let's work together to break the silence and end FGM/C in Southeast Asia. #EndFGM