UNICEF at the Frontlines: Safeguarding Lives and the Environment

Aya Ghamra, Awareness Content Reporter

While most countries and organizations have started prioritizing the mission to make the world a more eco-friendly place, they are all just simply catching up to the UNICEF mandate that was established a long while ago. UNICEF has been at the forefront of addressing global humanitarian issues (especially to those that have impacted young women and children in the Middle East), while placing a special emphasis on the protection of vulnerable populations and their environments as well. UNICEF is a special nexus that operates on its own mandate. It not only addresses immediate crises but it additionally works to create and establish long-term systemic changes - even if it is through one small change at a time. 

The saying goes: “One small change times a hundred, results in big change”. With the recent genocide and land war happening in the Middle East, UNICEF has taken huge steps in advocating for education as a form of empowerment, environmental justice, and emergency responses for climate change. UNICEF’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) program is a special subsection of the organization that aims to implement urgent care for women and children in countries such as Lebanon, Sudan, Palestine, and Iran that have been negatively affected by the environmental changes from genocide and war. MENA’s mission statement is as follows: “Protect the lives, health and well-being of children and the resilience of their communities by adapting essential social services to a changing climate, more frequent disasters and a degrading environment” (UNICEF, n.d.). The program’s aim is to “empower every child through their life course with the developmental opportunities, education and skills to be a champion for the environment” (UNICEF, n.d.). 

This dual focus on empowerment and environmental justice is especially critical in areas like the Middle East, where ongoing conflicts exacerbate the vulnerability of children and women. For example, in Lebanon, initiatives aim to enhance access to clean water and renewable energy in schools, linking educational opportunities with ecological sustainability (UNICEF, 2024). Similarly, in Sudan, UNICEF collaborates with local partners to rebuild community infrastructure in ways that mitigate environmental degradation while supporting displaced families (UNICEF, 2024). In Palestine, UNICEF's approach to integrating education, empowerment, and environmental advocacy is vital in mitigating the compounded challenges faced by children and families living under occupation and genocide. With limited access to resources and infrastructure frequently disrupted, UNICEF has implemented programs aimed at fostering resilience and providing essential services despite these adversities. One key initiative involves improving access to safe water and sanitation in schools and communities (UNICEF, 2024). By installing solar-powered water pumps and rehabilitating water systems, UNICEF ensures that children not only attend school in healthier conditions but also gain awareness of sustainable resource management (UNICEF, 2024). By prioritizing education as a transformative tool, UNICEF not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the groundwork for sustainable development and resilience. 

“Children are the least responsible for climate change, yet they will bear the greatest burden of its impact” (UNICEF, n.d.). In addition to the MENA program, UNICEF has also created a tool called the “Young Climate Activist ToolKit” for young children and students. This toolkit was developed to empower young people in the MENA region with resources and knowledge about the climate crisis, especially for those in undeveloped countries (UNICEF, n.d.). 

UNICEF's advocacy for crises reflects an ongoing effort, presenting a picture that underscores the unfinished nature of these challenges. “Iterative and ‘no regrets’ risk-informed approaches are needed to address emerging and novel risks, the scope and scale of which are unprecedented in human history. Establishing child-critical services and systems (health, education, child protection and social protection) that are shock-resistant and inclusive will be critical” (UNICEF, n.d.). Rather than offering a completed narrative, their work highlights the urgency of continued action and the need for sustained efforts to address both immediate and long-term humanitarian needs. 

References

UNICEF. (n.d.). Growing Up in a Changing Environment. UNICEF. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from 

https://www.unicef.org/mena/reports/growing-up-in-a-changing-climate 

UNICEF. (n.d.). Environment and climate change. UNICEF. Retrieved DEcember 1, 2024, from 

https://www.unicef.org/mena/climate-change-in-mena 

UNICEF. (2024, October 28). At least ten children reportedly killed in escalating violence in Sudan’s Al 

Jazirah State. UNICEF. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from https://www.unicef.org/mena/press-releases/least-ten-children-reportedly-killed-escalating-violence-sudans-al-jazirah-state 

UNICEF. (2024, November 1). Stop the assault on Palestinians in Gaza and on those trying to help 

them. Retrieved December 1, 2024, from https://www.unicef.org/mena/press-releases/stop-assault-palestinians-gaza-and-those-trying-help-them 

UNICEF. (2024, November 19). Lebanon’s Escalating Violence on Children. UNICEF. Retrieved 

December 1, 2024, from https://www.unicef.org/mena/press-releases/lebanons-escalating-violence-children