Malaysia

This year is poised to break temperature records, underscoring the world’s failure to meet commitments to the 2015 Paris Agreement, aiming to limit the rise in global temperature to below 1.5oC. The stakes are high, with over 1 billion children’s lives in jeopardy due to the climate crisis. Recognizing the urgent need for action, young people…, Young People Effecting Real Change, Last month, in the lead up to COP28, we organized the COP28 Youth Aspirations Dialogue, a collaborative event between the European Union Delegation to Malaysia and the Youth Environment Living Labs (YELL). This dialogue was youth-led and culminated in the handover of youth aspirations for COP28 to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and…, Climate action every day!, Beyond COP28, lasting climate action lies in the transformative actions that resonate in the everyday lives of communities worldwide. Real change means taking concrete actions that benefit everyone. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, we want to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of a better, more inclusive, healthier…

Youth Environment Living Labs (YELL) conducted a dialogue with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) on 28th February at Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB). The dialogue highlighted centering young people at the forefront of addressing climate change and environmental hazards and risks. This is realized…, About UNICEF, UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.   For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit https://www.unicef.org/malaysia/ . Follow UNICEF on Twitter ,…

The climate crisis has always been an issue that I found hard to resonate with since it is often presented as a distant, unfixable problem and underscored with apocalyptic claims. I am also worried that certain communities fail to acknowledge their climate privilege at times since they are often untroubled by climate change, given their lack of…, From Climate Apathy to Climate Action, Unsurprisingly, many scientists, experts, and activists connected the occurrence of these floods to extreme weather attributed to climate change. It was only then that I slowly began to view climate change as an urgent critical social issue on par with poverty, inequality, and other issues I was passionate about. Similar to the experiences of some…, Learning to YELL, YELL Fact: YELL is a partnership between young people and local climate and environmental organizations convened by UNDP and UNICEF Malaysia, supported by Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM). YELL helps local youth find their voice in environmental action and amplifies ongoing sustainability efforts among young people. YELL works with its partners,…, Moving Forward: YELL and Beyond, With the official kick-off of YELL, the next order of business will be to roll out and continue developing its three pillars: Exploraction (Explore + Action): Seed-funding programme to support action-learning projects led by or with youth. Conservocation (Conservation + Vocation): Internship and skills development programme for youth and graduates…

How can we use innovation and technology to create a safe and healthy living environment for all children in Malaysia?, UNICEF Malaysia is calling for innovative, creative and impactful solutions with game-changing models that will help address issues of the 21 st century: climate literacy, disaster mapping and management, and nutrition. Does your startup have the edge to tackle these issues in an inclusive and sustainable manner? Do you have meaningful, out-of-the…, About the challenge, Last year, UNICEF in collaboration with MaGIC, carried out the MyUNICEF Impact Challenge , whereby five social enterprises were selected as winners in key thematic areas of mental health, and safe and clean environment for all children. This year, we are supporting the MRANTI Impact Challenge Accelerator (MICA) 2022 as problem statement sponsors.…, Climate Literacy, Climate change is threatening the health and safety of our future generation. According to UNICEF’s Children Climate Risk Index (CCRI), Malaysia is ranked 61 st among countries globally where children are most at risk to the effect of climate change. Children and young people, who contributed the least to climate change, are expected to bear the…, Disaster Mapping and Management, Disasters and natural hazards are showing trends of increased frequency and intensity. From 1998 to 2018, floods alone affected over 770,000 Malaysians, killed 148 people, and caused 5.82 billion Ringgit in damages. Landslides, flash floods, and droughts often disproportionately impact the least protected and marginalized. Looking ahead the…, Nutrition, Child malnutrition is a persistent issue in Malaysia. Unfortunately, income loss and inflation as a result of both the Covid-19 pandemic and global economic factors has further deprived household access to affordable and nutrient-dense food sources. With stunting and wasting at 21.8% and 9.7% respectively in 2019, Malaysia was experiencing a…, The brass tacks, Why Join?, Being shortlisted presents evidence that you are solving a real problem innovatively and sustainably, in the views of international development organisations and industry experts.   Win cash prize of RM10,000 per startup from Phase 1: The Impact Challenge Exclusive access to an impact-focused and SDG-driven Accelerator Post Demo Day, stand a…, Who can join?, Startups or established ventures A registered business entity in Malaysia with proven solutions and a track record of minimum 12 months. Young startups are particularly encouraged to participate! Technology-based Ideally incorporating the use of technology within the solution or the solution itself can be technology-based. Solid human capacity A…, Important dates, Phase Events Dates Phase 1: Impact Challege Application Opens Application Closes Pitching Session 15 September 2022 13 November 2022 21 & 22 November 2022 Phase 2: Impact Accelerator Impact Challenge Commences Impact Accelerator Demo Day 2 February 2023 14 April 2023 Phase 3: Post Accelerator Support Post Accelerator Pilot Project Activities…, Find out more, Curious to know more? Check out the FAQ You can also read our press release here . Fine Print Participating in the challenge means you accept UNICEF's Privacy Policy . You can find details here and in our footer in the link 'Legal'. Find out more on MRANTI's site . To read the full Terms and Conditions, please download here., This initiative is in collaboration with, Mranti and Midas logo

KUALA LUMPUR, 2 August 2022 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with Amanah Lestari Alam (ALAM) today launched Phase 2 of the Youth Environment Living Labs (YELL), to reimagine youth participation in climate and environmental action across Malaysia. “Young people are the…

Factsheets, Factsheet for Adults (Eng & BM), Download  Factsheet for Adults (ENG) in PDF. CC adult factsheet eng UNICEF   Download  Factsheet for Adults (BM) in PDF. CC Factsheet for Adults (BM) UNICEF, Factsheet for Children (Eng & BM), Download  Factsheet for Children (Eng) in PDF. Factsheet for children (Eng) UNICEF   Download  Factsheet for Children (BM) in PDF. Factsheet for children (BM) UNICEF, Videos, Articles & Blogposts, Social media squares, Download & share to be a climate advocate! Climate socmed graphic 1 Climate socmed graphic 2 Display caption Hide Caption Display caption Hide Caption Climate socmed graphic 3 Climate socmed graphic 4 Display caption Hide Caption Display caption Hide Caption Climate socmed graphic 5 Climate socmed graphic 6 Display caption Hide Caption Display…

Challenge, The climate crisis is a child rights crisis. Children bear the heaviest burden of the mounting climate crisis now and in the long-term while being the least empowered in climate and environmental policymaking and strategies. In Malaysia, accelerated climate change and environmental degradation present serious risks for children, especially from…, Resources, Solutions, The realisation of child rights and the Sustainable Development Goals are contingent on the protection of child rights in climate change. Towards this goal, UNICEF is committed to achieving the societal transformation necessary for children to live in a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. UNICEF Malaysia’s Climate and Environment…

A rainy morning might feel like the perfect time to sleep in, but it can also rob some families of the opportunity to go to work or to school. Here, in the third of a three-part series, we look at why children’s futures are in jeopardy when climate change disrupts their education.  Jasmin Irisha Jim Ilham, Climate and Environment Consultant,…, Missed opportunity for learning , “A couple of missed days at school is not a big deal, but when it becomes a regular occurrence, the children really miss out on a lot of their educational development,” says Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Professor Dr Hidayatulfathi Othman, a co-researcher on the team that carried out the study ‘Impact of Climate Change on Children: A Malaysian…, Domino effect of parents’ income on young children , Very often, the rainy season affects parents’ incomes in places like Pos Kuala Mu and Pulau Gaya where economic activities are climate-sensitive. For example, many families rely on farming and rubber tapping at Pos Kuala Mu, while on Pulau Gaya, most are fishermen. Extreme weather events cause these activities to grind to a halt and during these…, Not just a rural problem , Those living in urban areas are not spared. In PPR Sungai Bonus, a low-cost housing project in Kuala Lumpur, residents working as Grab drivers saw decreased income during the rainy season as fewer people ventured outdoors.   “I work as a Grab driver, so during heavy rain with the storm and lightning…who wants to go out? Who wants to take the risk…, We can be game changers , How do we ensure that we can teach our children the skills that will give them the opportunity to improve their futures?  First of all, the education sector needs to be climate-smart.  It is through education that children can first be made aware of climate change. This will give them the ability to adapt and cope with the effects of climate…

Feeling under the weather? It might be climate change and it is impacting the health of our children more than we realise. Here, in the second of a three-part series, we take a look at the impact of climate change on the health and well-being of children in Malaysia.  Issmail Nnafie, Programme Specialist for Innovation & Sustainability, UNICEF…, Flooded with danger , In Malaysia, the effects of climate change and environmental degradation on the health and well-being of children can be seen in several ways.  The high rainfall has increased the risk of floods. In addition to facing higher risk of injury and death, children are also more vulnerable to falling ill from water-borne diseases that are often spread…, An itching menace , Climate change has also affected climate-sensitive vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue.  While malaria has a very low incidence rate in the country, dengue is still a common disease. As cited in the report, in 2013, 450,000 children under four and another 500,000 children 15 years and below contracted dengue. In 2013 and 2014, children…, When pollution is in the air , Environmental degradation has also led to worsening air quality. Malaysians have become all too familiar with haze and children are more at risk because their lungs, brains, physical defences and immune systems are not fully developed. Children also breathe more rapidly than adults, taking in a relatively higher proportion of pollutants.   In Pos…, A matter of the mind , It is not just the risk of physical harm that threatens children. “Children are also at risk psychologically,” says Dr Yanti. According to the report, approximately 10 per cent of children exposed to traumatic events will develop post-traumatic stress disorders. Floods, typhoons, landslides are all traumatic events that many children, especially…, Let’s do better for our children , These findings show us that there are gaps, and with it opportunities, for us to do better for our children.   In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health has established health guidelines and action plans to deal with common events such as floods, haze, and climate-sensitive diseases. While the macro-level strategic plans do not explicitly focus on…

With accelerating climate change and environmental degradation, the world is seeing drastic changes in weather patterns as well as availability of clean air, clean water and nutritious food. All life on the planet will be affected, but not equally so. A new study zeroes in on the fact that in these scenarios, children have the most to lose. …, A focus on children , These are some of the stories that have been unearthed in the study, ‘Impact of Climate Change on Children: A Malaysian Perspective’. This is the first study that addresses children as an especially vulnerable group vis-a-vis the impact of climate change and environmental degradation in the country.  Conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (…, Living on the Margins , As part of the study, the research team also spotlighted the precarious position of marginalised children who live on the periphery of mainstream society. On-the-ground engagement was carried out with three communities: the children of Pulau Gaya, the Temiar indigenous people living in Pos Kuala Mu, Perak, and the urban poor at PPR Sg Bonus in…, The way forward , Among the recommendations highlighted in the report was a move towards a more child-sensitive governance framework. The report states: “Children often fare the worst in climate- and weather-related disasters such as floods, droughts, forest fires and cyclones. And yet children are consistently overlooked in the design and content of climate…

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 October 2021 – Landslides and flash floods cut off the only access road for orang asli parents living in Pos Kuala Mu to send their children to schools on motorcycles. During these times of extreme weather patterns caused by climate change, only 58 percent of children can attend school. This is one of the case studies found in ‘…

The climate crisis is a child rights crisis. Climate change and environmental degradation adversely affect the healthy growth, development, and wellbeing of children. Children often fare the worst in climate- and weather-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and forest fires. They face additional risks of exposure and have lower tolerance…