Preserving Glaciers Urgent for Children
On World Water Day 2025, UNICEF South Asia highlights children’s right to safe water
A fast-moving threat
Globally, glaciers are melting at a pace that is anything but, well, glacial.
In the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountain ranges of South Asia, the pace is even faster than the global average. Experts estimate that 80 per cent of the region’s glaciers will disappear by the start of the next century. That loss would mean a dramatic reduction in the amount of water available for drinking, growing food and combatting disease.
“It would be absolutely catastrophic for children and their families,” said Francis Odhiambo, the South Asia Regional Advisor for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
World Water Day 2025
On World Water Day 2025, Saturday 22 March, advocates are speaking up about the critical need to preserve glaciers, an essential water source for billions of people around the world.
World Water Day is also an opportunity to draw attention to the roughly 2.2 billion people globally who do not have access to safe water. In South Asia, more than 132 million people – including children and young people – do not have access to basic water services.
From the expert
More than 750 million people in the region rely on water from glaciers. The effects of climate change on glaciers will impact millions of families and communities.
Francis Odhiambo, UNICEF Regional Office of South Asia
For Odhiambo, the message of World Water Day is critically important for the children and families of South Asia. In a conversation, Odhiambo described why.
Why are glaciers important in South Asia?
Glaciers in the Hindu Kush, the Himalayas, feed three large rivers in South Asia – the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra. These rivers support the livelihoods of over 750 million people in South Asia. They also replenish the groundwater, which is essential for drinking and energy production.
Why are glaciers important for children and child rights?
The retreat of the glaciers means that the volume of water is being significantly reduced, which has many consequences.
Children and families will have less household water for drinking, sanitation and hygiene. Also, water scarcity will inevitably lead to increased risks of waterborne diseases.
As glaciers melt, changes will occur to the timing and volume of water flow in the three river basins. These shifts will lead to reduced crop yields, lower incomes for families, and increased food insecurity, particularly for children who are vulnerable to malnutrition.
The shifts in patterns of water flow can also increase risk of floods and landslides, which could force people to migrate, disrupting lives and communities. There is also the possibility that water scarcity could trigger conflicts.
What should we do to preserve glaciers?
Awareness raising and advocacy, I think are really important. There needs to be much more focus on generating evidence about the reduction in river flows due to glacial retreat.
Climate change and the importance of sustainable practices also are an important part of awareness raising and education.
In addition, governments need to strengthen policies and regulations that guide sustainable use of shared water resources and promote environmental protection and climate action.
Finally, everyone needs to conserve and use water wisely. It is a finite resource.
What can children and young people do to help?
The most important thing is this whole idea around conserving water resources – to turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth, do not let the water run. Make it an issue. Convene as a group at your school or on whatever other platform you can find.
