UNICEF Canada
brings together experts to highlight the unique impacts of
wildfires on children
TORONTO, July 30,
2024 /CNW/ - The increased incidence and intensity of
wildfires in Canada and around the
world puts children at risk. Experts shared perspectives on the
specific challenges of wildfires on children today at UNICEF
Canada's roundtable on The Impact
of Wildfires on Children.
"Particulate matter released from wildfires are approximately 10
times more harmful to respiratory health than ambient air
pollution, particularly in children under five years of age," said
UNICEF Global Climate Adaptation and Health Expert Swathi
Manchikanti. "Wildfire smoke is much more damaging to children's
lungs than we have known before."
Young children are especially vulnerable to wildfire smoke
because they breathe twice as rapidly as adults, and their physical
defenses and immunities are not fully developed.
Manchikanti warned that wildfire smoke affects babies even
before they are born. Research has shown that babies born to
mothers exposed to high levels of wildfire smoke during pregnancy
are more likely to experience low birth weight, congenital
disabilities, childhood diabetes and be delivered preterm.
The enduring impact of wildfires extends beyond immediate
physical health concerns. It casts a long shadow on children due to
injuries, disabilities, trauma, loss of learning and recreational
opportunities, and displacement.
"Being so far away from home and away from regular routine,
friends, schools, took an important toll on young
people," said UNICEF Canada's Youth Advocate, Kira Young, sharing her experience escaping the
Yellowknife wildfires in 2023. "We
need to remember that while kids are the least liable for climate
change, they are the ones that feel their impacts most
strongly."
Manchikanti and Young were also joined on the virtual roundtable
by Luciana Phebo, Head of Health and Nutrition, UNICEF Brazil, and
Brian Wiens, Managing Director,
Canada Wildfire.
UNICEF Canada is calling on the
Government in Canada to take
action on climate change to protect the lives, health and
well-being of children - including by committing to increased
child-sensitive climate funding at COP29 this November and signing the UNICEF
Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate
Action, and fulfilling international sustainability and climate
change agreements, including rapidly reducing emissions.
"Children are not little adults; their bodies and needs are
profoundly different," said UNICEF President and CEO Sevaun
Palvetzian. "Any climate change action that governments take or
plan for – including preparing for the increased prevalence of
wildfires – must ensure that children's needs move from the
sidelines to front and centre."
For more information, please visit
unicef.ca/impact-of-wildfires-on-children-virtual-roundtable.
Notes to the editors
The recording from the virtual roundtable on the impact of
wildfires on children can be viewed on UNICEF Canada's YouTube
channel: https://youtu.be/nvNszJmHNV4
About UNICEF
UNICEF is the world's leading humanitarian organization focused
on children. We work in the most challenging areas to provide
protection, healthcare and immunizations, education, safe water and
sanitation and nutrition. As part of the United Nations, our
unrivaled reach spans more than 190 countries and territories,
ensuring we are on the ground to help the most disadvantaged
children. While part of the UN system, UNICEF relies entirely on
voluntary donations to finance our life-saving work.
Please visit unicef.ca and follow us
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SOURCE UNICEF Canada