Asia-Pacific is the most climate-exposed and disaster-prone region in the world. As many as 65% of children in East Asia are exposed to multiple shocks which are becoming increasingly frequent, especially flooding, drought, saltwater inundation, and climate-related diseases. Children and families living in poverty are particularly vulnerable, bearing the brunt of these recurrent crises and their longterm consequences.

This report, “Advocates for Change: Asia Pacific Children and Youth’s Voices & Perspectives on Climate Action and Disaster Risk Reduction”, is the result of the collaboration between partners from different development organizations. This project commenced in May 2024 and culminated in the launch of the report in October 2024 by the Asia Pacific Coalition for School Safety (APCSS).

World Vision (WV)’s Better Food, Better Health (BFBH) project was a nutrition-sensitive agriculture project aiming to improve nutrition for 31,806 direct beneficiaries in Timor-Leste.

Hunger and climate change in the Pacific – a threat to children’s wellbeing factsheet

Our mission is Labarik saudavel no foin-sa’e empoderadu ba komunidade forte - Healthy children and empowered youth for strong communities.

Disasters pose a substantial and growing threat to children and youth's well-being, and climate change is a rising threat to the environment and livelihood, including the survival and well-being of future generations. However, children and youth continue to be on the frontlines in combating climate change and building resilience in their communities. There have been consultative and robust research on child-centred risk reduction and school safety developed globally and in Asia-Pacific. Drawing from the findings, we highlight young people’s voices and perspectives in urging governments, DRR partners, and practitioners to undertake the following actions in line with the underlying goals of the 10th APMCDRR.

Responding to children’s urgent call for climate justice, World Vision has developed the first organisation-wide Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action (ESCA) Strategic Roadmap. World Vision completed the first stocktake of ESCA -related programmes implemented during financial years 2023-24 across 69 countries.

World Vision's Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) training in Sepionda, Southern Highlands, has been a turning point for local communities facing the growing impacts of climate change. The training, which focused on using local materials and plants to reduce disaster risks, taught participants practical ways to protect their homes and land, like planting trees to prevent erosion. It also provided valuable peace-building and conflict-resolution tools, helping people understand that natural disasters are not caused by spirits or revenge, as previously believed. After a recent landslide, the community’s new knowledge helped prevent violence. Leaders expressed deep gratitude for the training and the hope for continued support to better prepare for future challenges.