Growing up in the
climate crisis
Did you know?
Children and young people in the Middle East are exposed to multiple climate shocks
The highest number of children and young people who reported being exposed to heatwaves (99.5%) and dust storms (87.8%) in their communities live in Syria, while nearly all children and young people in Iraq are exposed to higher temperatures.
Climate change is also affecting communities’ access to nutritious food and other essential services
The vast majority of children and young people across contexts reported observing a decrease in crop yields, livestock productivity or failure of crops, including 92.4% in Lebanon, 89.6% in Iraq, 97.1% in Syria and 95.9% in the West Bank. Loss of access to fuel, electricity and water is also prevalent across countries, with communities in Lebanon and Syria being most impacted.
COP28 UAE took place in December 2023 in Dubai. A diverse delegation of World Vision staff and youth advocates from around the world attended the event.
The United Nations Climate Change Conferences are yearly conferences. Key national stakeholders meet to negotiate and agree on action on how to tackle climate change, limit emissions and halt global warming. The United Nations Climate Change Conferences are the world's highest decision-making body on climate issues and one of the largest international meetings in the world.
World Vision and Youth Advocates from Iraq Attend COP28 in Dubai
Youth climate advocate, Hella Jawad Jalal from Iraq interviews Mary Njeri, World Vision global hunger response director for the launch of Rising...
COP28 Engagements Highlights
New Publications
The young people in this study from Ninewa governate, Iraq know that climate change is impacting their lives now. This research is about how climate change is perceived and experienced by these young people.
It points to noticeable emotional impacts resulting from living every day with the effects of climate change and in anticipation of a deterioration in individual or global well-being. Emotions such as worry, anxiety, fear, and a sense of helplessness were evident, although some children also exhibited resilience and hope, expressing optimism about finding solutions to address climate change.
Related Stories
On the occasion of World Children’s Day, and ahead of COP28, World Vision is highlighting the impact of climate change on children and youth in the Middle East.
Despite living in some of the most difficult places and precarious conditions, children and young people’s motivation to make a difference in the middle east is inspiring. We must empower and support them in becoming the agents of change they aspire to be when it comes to climate action.
Youth Testimonies
Check out individual testimonies from Iraqi youths on climate change.
Young people are aware that extreme weather events like heat waves, dust storms, heavy rainfall and floods are related to climate change. They are impacted by low crop yields, lack of nutritional diversity, lack of access to clean water, as well as health and sanitation challenges. Their access to school and learning has also been impacted by climate change.
Press Releases
On World Children’s Day and ahead of COP28, World Vision continues to express deep concern over the impact that climate change has had on children in the Middle East, including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and the West Bank.
It is critical that children and young people living in fragile and conflict-affected contexts in the region are included and heard across all international climate policy and decision-making frameworks.
World Vision supports renewable energy solutions by working
hand in hand with communities across the Middle East