Climate Crisis: Young people in Chad are committed to positive change
Discover how youth organizations unite for a greener Chad
Chad is ranked as number 2 worldwide in terms of the impact of climate change on children and their families. Despite climate change being a relatively unfamiliar topic in Chad, its impact is felt daily, with massive floods in 2022 and recurrent droughts marking recent history.
On World Children's Day, Anita Togue-Yallah, President of the Children's Parliament, highlighted some of the main consequences of climate change on youngt people: including hunger, floods, heat, dust, and limited access to water. In response to these challenges, urgent action is crucial to protect the environment and living conditions. In this perspective, committed youth within U-Report and Super Banat platforms have taken concrete actions within their communities.
In Doba, Chad's fifth-largest city, a dedicated group of young people associated with the U-Report Doba community have decided to take action. Despite their small numbers, they are determined to make a lasting change in their community. Their mission is simple yet essential: make Doba a greener, healthier, and more resilient place against the growing threat of desertification.
Bélizaire Mbaitokodji, U-Report Doba Coordinator, explains:
« What inspires us to engage in efforts for an eco-friendlier Chad is our firm belief that without greenery, the world loses its value. Faced with the growing threat to Chad and the rest of the planet, we, as people from Doba, aim to make Doba, a city where life is pleasant. »
Since its creation in August 2021, the U-Report community in Doba has focused on tree planting through the "Doba Green City" project, resulting in the planting of over 160 mango and guava trees. The goal is to provide shade and fruits for residents while combating desertification.
Zooming in on N’Djamena city, Zara Loksala, a member of Super Banat since 2020 and Young voices from the Sahel since 2021, is highly committed to environmental and girls' issues. In 2023, Zara showcased her activities supporting girls in the documentary film "For Them and the Planet," supported by the 8 billion Initiative Resilient Foundation | Unearth the Untold, a multimedia platform committed to protect the planet. Zara explains her commitment to girls' access to water, especially in schools, and the use of sanitary pads. In her daily life, Zara plants trees, raises awareness among her generation about tree planting and cleanliness, and educates girls on making reusable fabric-based sanitary pads.
Zara emphasizes the environmental impact of disposable sanitary pads and the health risks associated with their use, stating,
« Disposable sanitary pads are non-biodegradable, and for most brands used by girls, they cause infections. On one hand, I teach girls how to make their reusable pads from fabric, and on the other hand, I raise their awareness, so they have access to clean water for good menstrual hygiene because using these pads requires water. »
Alongside to Zara's and the U-Report Doba community commitment, other groups including the Young voices from the Sahel, guides, scouts, and U-Report communities, are organizing reforestation and awareness activities, all supported by UNICEF.
These collective initiatives aim to shape a more sustainable future for Chad and the planet.
