INTERVIEW UNICEF seeks cooperation with Korea to tackle climate crisis, humanitarian challenges

Kitty van der Heijden, left, the deputy executive director of UNICEF, and Oren Schlein, the head of UNICEF Seoul Liasion Office, attend a meeting with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) at Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Courtesy of Korean International Cooperation Agency

Korea has played a crucial role in tackling the climate crisis and humanitarian challenges faced by the world, with resources from both the public and private sectors, in collaboration with UNICEF and its Korean partners, according to Kitty van der Heijden, the deputy executive director of UNICEF.

In a written interview with The Korea Times, she also acknowledged the significance of Korea's support in safeguarding the lives of millions of children globally, stressing the elevation of children's rights.

“As we all know, the Earth is already feeling the impacts of climate change, but children are feeling the brunt of this,” she said.

The interview was conducted on the occasion of her inaugural visit to Korea on Thursday. During her two-day visit, van der Heijden is set to meet with relevant officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Green Climate Fund.

The discussions with officials aim to underscore the importance of a multilateral system in responding to issues affecting the rights of future generations, such as the climate crisis, humanitarian concerns, and educational inequalities.

Kitty van der Heijden, the deputy executive director of UNICEF

The tangible impact of climate change on the planet, with a nearly 35 percent increase in climate-related disasters since the 1990s, is affecting water, sanitation and hygiene. According to UNICEF reports, approximately 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, resulting in nearly 4,000 deaths daily from water-related diseases.

As part of climate action, UNICEF focuses on establishing sustainable water and sanitation services, empowering communities to adopt good hygiene practices, and providing children with climate-smart social services to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

“We are currently in negotiations with the Korean government for a climate partnership to collectively address the climate crisis in Asia and Africa,” she explained.

The UNICEF deputy executive director also underscored that humanitarian issues, such as those in Palestine, Sudan, Haiti and Myanmar, pose significant challenges to children's rights.

Approximately 173 million vulnerable children and people require UNICEF's life-saving interventions in 155 countries and territories. It responded to 442 new or ongoing humanitarian crises, but the situation is still just as dire in 2023.

Highlighting the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel, she emphasized that violence is a major threat to humanitarian efforts.

UNICEF continues to call for the immediate and unconditional release of all civilians held hostage and is providing support to those affected by the conflict through the delivery of bottled water and medical supplies.

Children and city officials pose during the ceremony proclaiming Gwangju as one of UNICEF's Child Friendly Cities at Gwangju City Hall, Jan. 31, 2020. Courtesy of Gwangju City Government

She also explained UNICEF's Child Friendly Cities Initiative in Korea, which serves as a model for developing a better environment for future generations, encompassing climate, environment, human rights and education.

Launched in 2013, the initiative has significantly raised awareness of children's rights, with 90 cities certified as Child Friendly Cities in Korea as of this year.

“Even though there are climate, humanitarian and development challenges that children face, UNICEF’s role is to respond to these challenges, and millions of children are benefiting from the support of Korea,” she said.