East African Children Advocate for Climate Action at COP29

At COP29, children from East Africa are advocating for urgent climate action to protect their education and future, highlighting the detrimental impacts of climate change on their schooling. With over 40 million children affected by extreme heat and flooding this year, many have faced school closures and significant disruptions to their learning. Siama, a 17-year-old from South Sudan, shared her experience of missing two weeks of school due to soaring temperatures, underscoring the lack of climate-resilient infrastructure in her country. Similarly, Nafiso from Somalia expressed concerns about food insecurity and the challenges her father's farming face amid climate volatility. Concurrently, youth leaders in Namibia convened at the Local Conference of Youth to discuss national climate strategies and emphasize the need for youth involvement in climate solutions. The collective calls for action from these young voices aim to highlight the urgent need for climate finance and resilient educational facilities.