An NGO, Save the Children (SCI) has urged journalists to focus on the dissemination of climate change information, risks and mitigation action.
According to it, the call was sequel to the worries about the negative impacts and devastation caused by human activities on the environment and biodiversity that led to climate change.
The Advocacy Campaign and Policy Manager of SCI, Mr Innocent Ifedilichukwu said this at a three-day training and review meeting of Kaduna SCI Media Working Group held on Monday in Kano.
He stressed the need for media practitioners to communicate clearly and effectively to the people to comprehend environmental impacts, and take appropriate preventive and remedial actions.
Ifedilichukwu explained that the capacity building on climate crisis and action was also aimed at finding ways to protect children from the adverse effects of climate change and how to champion their cause.
“Save the Children International understands the role of the media in telling stories, sharing impactful work, and ensuring sustainable action from various stakeholders.
“The training, therefore, is to enhance the understanding of issues related to climate change,” he said.
Ifedilichukwu said that child protection failures affect progress in all sectors, adding that protecting children from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect was essential for them to enjoy their rights to survival, development and
participation.
He lamented that many children drop out of school, others die because of early marriage and other harmful practices which among others, could all be linked to climate change.
“Save the Children is a “dual mandate” organisation that delivers children in both development and emergency contexts.
“Humanitarian crises make children even more vulnerable, therefore, our work addresses the
immediate and long-term child protection consequences of emergencies,” he added.
The manager also said SCI gives increasing attention to urbanisation, as safety nets were often weakened as consequence of urban growth.
He, therefore, urged individuals to plant trees to mitigate the effects of climate change.
In his presentation, the Audio Visual Graphic Designer for SCI, Mr Pem Musa, said a lot needed to be done in the protection and safeguarding of the well-being of the children.
Similarly, Treasure Nwabueze, Safeguarding Officer, SCI, said in all the organisation’s engagements, it ensures that everyone who comes into contact with them is safe according to the ‘safeguarding’ rules.
“Our safeguarding commitment is to ensure that children and adults are protected from both deliberate and accidental harm and abuse caused by Save the Children staff and other representatives,” she said.
According to her, some of the tips for safeguarding by SCI include: Listening to children and adults in the communities, building child and adult participation as well as feedback into all programmes and advocacy works.
“We make children, their families, communities and our staff aware of the standards of behaviour they can expect from us and of how they can raise a concern.
“This will proactively promote and maintain clear, accessible and anonymous reporting mechanisms, including for those with disabilities,” Nwabueze said.
