02 Mar 2025

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) last week donated P700 000 (US$50 000) to aid children affected by the floods.

The donation was response to a call by Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, which UNICEF in partnership with the Botswana Red Cross Society took upon themselves, to help develop urgently needed child centred interventions and flood relief initiatives.

“I just want to highlight that across the world, we are seeing that climate change and its devastating impacts such as floods, have the greatest impact on children,” said UNICEF representative to Botswana, Dr Joan Matji.

She emphasised the organisation’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable from the worst impact of a changing climate and degrading environment, including in Botswana. The child centred intervention will strategise the immediate relief and medium term recovery efforts in flood affected areas, to ensure availability of essential services such as hygiene support and the protection of vulnerable populations.

“With the P700 000 that we have provided, we will work with the Botswana Red Cross Society to distribute essential supplies such as food, blankets, mattresses and hygiene kits. We will also provide safe drinking water and awareness campaigns on child safeguarding measures as well as flood preparedness and safety,” she said.

Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Dr Nono Kgafela-Mokoka, ministry permanent secretary, Dr Kekgonne Baipoledi and Botswana Red Cross Society secretary general, Mr Kutlwano Mukokomani, welcomed UNICEF support.

“I commend UNICEF for its swift response on this matter as it comes at a critical time when children, including students, have been the hardest hit,” said Dr Kgafela- Mokoka who vowed to expedite the execution of intervention strategies.

A total of 2 249 households with 6 423 individual members, 2 631 children and 561 elderly people have been affected by the floods according to the Botswana National Disaster Management Office. ENDS