Guinea-Bissau, UNICEF launch climate action plan focused on child protection
Guinea-Bissau has launched a new climate action plan aimed at reducing the impact of natural disasters on children and young people.
The initiative, developed in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), was formalised through a bi-annual work plan signed in the capital, Bissau.
The plan outlines targeted measures to improve climate resilience and environmental awareness, particularly among the country’s younger population. With an estimated investment of over $1.1 million, the initiative focuses on education, risk mitigation, and sustainable water resource management.
According to UNICEF, approximately 460,000 children in Guinea-Bissau live in areas considered at high risk of flooding.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Viriato Cassamá, Minister of Environment, Biodiversity, and Climate Action, described the plan as a step toward aligning environmental policy with child welfare. He emphasised that climate change poses risks to essential services, including clean water, healthcare, and education, and highlighted the importance of integrating child-centered strategies into broader climate efforts.
The minister also noted that the program aims to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities and promote youth engagement through environmental education.
UNICEF Representative Inoussa Kabore noted Guinea-Bissau’s vulnerability to climate-related events, describing the country as among those most affected by climate change in the region. He affirmed UNICEF’s ongoing technical and financial support for the initiative.
The work plan forms part of a broader effort to enhance sustainable development and disaster preparedness in Guinea-Bissau, with particular attention to protecting the rights and well-being of children in the face of environmental challenges.
