“Since the 1880s, the earth’s average temperature has risen

“Since the 1880s, the earth’s average temperature has risen 2.1 degrees Fahrenheit or 1.2 degrees Celsius. Global warming is occurring at a faster rate than at any other time in the Earth's history” Dr. Mahendra Rajaram DRR Officer, UNICEF

SCENARIO Children and Women are most affected in any hazard events – Shock (Earthquake, floods, Cyclones) or Stress (civil conflict, drought) across the world, so also in India. UNICEF globally focus on Emergency response and Risk Reduction. In India, the Government strategically focus on Risk Reduction and Climate Change. In line with Government objectives, UNICEF strategically focuses on Risk Informed programing and mainstreaming Risk Reduction in development planning.

By 2030, heat waves will lead to a 2 trillion loss in labor productivity Heat waves also lower food production. Between 1964 and 2007, drought and heat waves destroyed one-tenth of the world's cereal production.

EFFECTS Over the past 30 years, heat waves have killed more people than all other weather-related natural disasters combined. Heat waves kill in four ways: 1. Heat stress causes dehydration and loss of body salt. That throws off the chemistry of the body. 2. As the body tries to cool, it taxes the heart. That can lead to failure in people with heart conditions. 3. When the core body temperature rises beyond 104 F, organs fail. The gut leaks toxins into the body, creating a deadly inflammatory response called heat stroke. 4. People drown while trying to cool off in lakes and rivers.

Key CORE areas: Health- IMR, MMR, Neo-Natal Care etc Education- quality of learning in primary section, enrollment WASH – ODF, access to safe water Child Protection – reduction in child labour, child marriage Nutrition – stunting, wasting and under weight etc UNICEF Cross Sectoral: Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency, Advocacy and Communication for Development

Children and women among most vulnerable, 70% of disaster victims, disproportionally affected Gender inequalities increase vulnerability of women and girls. Disaster impact on children in India? 2000-2016: In five major natural disasters 17,671 children lost their lives, an equal number of children was injured -19,466 schools were destroyed 2015-16 drought in ten States affected 330 million people, including 37 mn children under five. It affected UNICEF programme results in WASH, education, nutrition, health and child protection One third of India’s territory also affected by civil strife.2015-16 floods 5 mn children affected/ displaced, social service delivery disrupted

Disaster impact on children in India? Data not available of fatalities / ill-health among children due to Heatwave, but large number of children are affected by heatwave. For example those children who travel by school bus in the afternoon, when returning home from school. During collection of water from distance areas. Dehydration among children is high

BOTTLENECKS Despite evidence, understanding of the extent of disaster risks and impact on children in India remains limited No comprehensive information management system to assess child’s vulnerability, capacities and multi-dimensional impact of acute, chronic and recurrent incidents of disasters – impact on malnutrition, service delivery, discontinuation of education etc. Consequently, duty-bearers and adult stakeholders do not sufficiently anticipate the risk and failed to provide adequate response to reduce risks and mitigate the impact of disasters on children GoI disaster management institutions, sectoral policies and UNICEF support to related programmes are so far only partially informed by disaster risk reduction approaches. No systems approach to build resilience in the core areas of our work.

The address some of the bottlenecks our approach at present is: UNICEF- HFO. Coordination and Monitoring Advocating for scaling-up risk informed programmes with the States, NGOs and Corporates Applying a systems approach to risk governance, Integrating risk considerations into departments and district administrations

UNICEF- HFO. Coordination and Monitoring Working closely with DM Departments, SDMAs and ATIs to strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders towards DRR Facilitating the process of disseminating the Heatwave Action Plan at District levels, through workshops, capacity building exercise, sharing content for public awareness materials Dialoguing with scientific and academic institutions on extreme weather events and follow-up actions

CHALLENGES Out of school children Some of the most vulnerable areas are very remote No focal points for coordination with various departments Heatwave is still a DM department function, other sectors – Education, DWCD etc have to inbuild in their system

CHILDREN ARE AT A GREATER RISK "No matter the child's age this can be dangerous or even deadly. Even if it's for a short period of time and you leave the car windows down it's dangerous/ Schools buses. (Inside the car can be several degrees hotter than outside and places a child at greater risk for heat stroke or heat exhaustion,)“ No matter where a child is or their age -supervision and parental intervention are crucial when the temperatures reach these extreme levels. Parents has to encourage their kids to stay active, but to make sure they're hydrated before going outside and also to take frequent water and cooling off breaks.

CHILDREN ARE AT A GREATER RISK "Parents need to encourage their kids to take breaks every so often by coming inside or resting in the shade. For every 20 minutes of vigorous exercise make sure your child is drinking 8 ounces of water,“ For infants and young children he suggests monitoring urine output. If your child's urine is a dark yellow color he or she is more than likely dehydrated. "Another common concern for parents of infants is a skin rash called prickly heat. keep the baby in lightweight clothing,“

CHILDREN ARE AT A GREATER RISK Encourage for lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes are key to keeping kids of all ages cooler on hot summer days. if a child is involved in vigorous exercise for more than an hour, ensure the child carries water with him/her. "Be careful what your child drinks to rehydrate. Usually, water is the best option. Be sure to stay away from soda which contains the three Cs: carbonation, caffeine and calories. This is not a good combination for hydration," Though signs of heat exhaustion differ depending on age, the most common are: Headaches Nausea Vomiting Muscle cramps Cranky behaviors Fatigue Thirst/dry mouth

The climate change Will decrease food production forcing rural community to move to urban areas –congesting urban areas, less food – leading to malnutrition Will reduce water availability – causing conflicts Will increase migration and child labour

WHAT ARE WE CAMPAIGNING FOR SOME SUGGESTIONS Reduce/avoid Impacts on vulnerable community especially children and women Use opportunities, such as nutrition day, SHG meetings for creating awareness and educate young girls and mothers regarding the dangers of Heat Waves, its related health impacts and the precautionary measures to be taken. Display IEC materials at Anganwadis and encourage integrated child development scheme (ICDS) workers to disseminate Heat Wave related information with special focus on infants, children below five years, pregnant and lactating mothers, and geriatric population to protect them from dehydration. Provision of drinking water and first aid at all the Anganwadi Centers, old age homes, orphanages. Ensure that visits to homes by AWWs are done early mornings, so as not to be exposed to high temperatures.

WHAT ARE WE CAMPAIGNING FOR SOME SUGGESTIONS Organize training for health workers, link workers, teachers, school children, and the local community with the Health Department in preventive measures and treatment protocol. Schools can be connected with early warning facilities on heatwave. Initiate educational preventative trainings aimed at children and distribute heat protection materials at local schools. Workshops for teachers to equip them with knowledge of heat protection tips and materials that they can teach in classrooms. Students can be assigned activities and projects on health dangers of extreme heat. Education Department can issue directions to schools to alter school timings to ensure children are not affected.

WHAT ARE WE CAMPAIGNING FOR SOME SUGGESTIONS Reduce/avoid Impacts on vulnerable community especially children and women Use opportunities, such as nutrition day, SHG meetings for creating awareness and educate young girls and mothers regarding the dangers of Heat Waves, its related health impacts and the precautionary measures to be taken. Display IEC materials at Anganwadis and encourage integrated child development scheme (ICDS) workers to disseminate Heat Wave related information with special focus on infants, children below five years, pregnant and lactating mothers, and geriatric population to protect them from dehydration. Provision of drinking water and first aid at all the Anganwadi Centers, old age homes, orphanages. Ensure that visits to homes by AWWs are done early mornings, so as not to be exposed to high temperatures.

STAFF ROLE TO ADDRESS HEATWAVE Organise workshop at district levels or in your departments Plan dissemination system at your level- Whats app, SMS Read the daily weather report from the department or newspaper Co-ordinate with local CSOs/NGOs to support your work – water kiosks, shades, supply of glucose pouchs Ensure the action plan is implemented – especially by health, education, DWCD, animal/livestock and forest departments

Thank you