UNICEF has urged governments and civil society organizations to step up efforts to alleviate the impact of disasters, especially on children, by helping communities to become more capable to respond to disasters and changing climate conditions.

UNICEF made the calls last week as the world marked the International Day for Disaster and Risk Reduction.
In a statement, UNICEF reported that children represent 50 to 60 percent of those affected by disasters, whether through loss of life from diseases and related malnutrition or to poor water and sanitation conditions that trigger diseases.

"Education, public awareness, community-based preparedness, teaching life skills, as well as disaster- resilient public buildings are all ways to reduce risk reduction for children,” the statement reads.

UNICEF also announced that it is redoubling its efforts globally to reduce the risks associated to disasters, whereby recent trends have shown an increased frequency and intensity of natural disaster such us heat waves, floods, drought, earthquakes and cyclones.

"In Bangladesh, more children die from drowning than any other country in the world; over 17,000 children drown in the world per year,” UNICEF reported.

"With risks increasing due to climate change, UNICEF has taught Bangladesh children how to swim; as of last year, 35,000 Bangladesh children have been taught to swim and many have learned lifesaving techniques.”

This year, UNICEF has invited city mayors to commit measures to risk reduction under the theme "Making Cities Resilient”, a campaign launched by the UN International Strategy for Disaster Risk.

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