NEWS FEATURE

Child displacement due to climate-related disasters: A Philippines’ twofold crisis

BY ALEXANDRA UY | NOVEMBER 25, 2023

A mother evacuates along with her children at a school in Legazpi City, Albay due to Typhoon Ulysses. | via Alexandra Mae Uy

This year, November 8 has marked the 10th anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda as it tragically struck the Philippines, with the majority of casualties hitting the Eastern Visayas Region in 2013. With almost 10 million displaced children, the United Nations for Children Funds (UNICEF) declared the Philippines as the country with the highest number of children being displaced globally due to climate-related crises.

The National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the death toll from the super typhoon was 6,300 out of 900,000 families affected. UNICEF estimated that more than four million individuals were displaced and almost half of them, 1.7 million in numbers, are children.

The Philippines is one of the countries in the world that experiences major tropical weather. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) even reported that there’s an average of 20 tropical cyclones entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) per year—times when people need to evacuate from the affected area to avoid any casualties.

As per UNICEF, household caregivers are tasked with establishing a safe space, and nurturing environment for children. Unfortunately, a country like the Philippines is deemed to be an unsafe place for children during times of inclement weather, further leading to relocation or displacement despite parents and families' efforts with being hands-on to their children’s lives.

Low-income survival

In June 2023, independent children’s rights group Save the Children Philippines said in an interview with ANC 24/7 that about 5.6 million children from low-income households are the most affected by the climate crisis. This means that families living in poverty are most likely to be over one's head in countering natural calamities, leading to displacement.

Children, being the most vulnerable, are facing risks of interrupted education, child labor, exploitation, and even child marriage.

Displacement as a replacement for children's joy

UNICEF emphasized that displacement has major impacts on kids including stress, absence in school, and being prone to diseases. Having lack of psychological support leads to more distress and trauma for the children aside from trying to recover from the disaster.

Acknowledging these challenges, Save the Children Philippines launched the child-led advocacy program "Generation Hope Campaign," which aims to call for urgent action during the climate crisis to create a safe, healthy, and bright future for children. This campaign connects with children by listening to their grievances and calls for improved sustainable goals for climate change.

Government’s action plan

The Philippine government already ratified the "Children's Emergency Relief and Protection Act" (R.A. No. 10821) in May 2016, that promotes and protects children's rights during disasters and emergencies.

Under this law, disaster preparedness is being mandated, as the bill declared that government agencies should be full-forced to enhance curricula and extensive training about children's rights in disasters, drills, basic life support, and community actions in response during disaster.

The bill also states that the National Housing Authority (NHA) shall be primarily responsible for the establishment of transitional shelters, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Local Government Units (LGUs). In compliance, NDRRMC and local governments are conducting events and programs in terms of climate crisis preparedness.

Despite these orders, reports of displacements are still circulating whenever there is a climate crisis. In December 2022, children affected by Super Typhoon Odette from evacuation centers in Cagdianao, Dinagat Island had faced serious health concerns, being prone to abuse, health problems, and uncomfortable shelters.

Build more effective scheme against child displacement

Save the Children Philippines recommends government agencies to improve housing sites and sanitation utilization of Child-Friendly Spaces to enhance children’s security during a crisis, alongside ensuring a careful and consistent consultation, particularly in aspects of resettlement of children and families.

UNICEF also provided support programs from the contributions of various philanthropic individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments to improve access to health and nutrition, sanitation, emergency support, and other assistance that could improve children’s lives globally.

Furthermore, the national government stood pat to its National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) that prioritizes food security, water sufficiency, ecological and environmental stability, and sustainable energy as the strategic direction from 2011 to 2028.

Despite the procedure, many critics demand more expeditious movements to enact the action plan, covering the local government agencies, for displaced populations like the community of Filipino children to live their lives more secure and sheltered.