Climate risks rise for Malaysian youth; school disruptions mount in Southeast Asia
More than eight in 10 young people in Malaysia experienced at least one climate-related disaster in the past year, while nearly all are worried about climate change, according to a new UNICEF survey.
Climate disasters affect daily life
The findings come from Nurture the Youth, Create the Change, based on the National Youth Climate Change Survey 2025. Conducted by UNICEF with support from Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, the survey gathered responses from 1,420 people aged 15 to 30 between June and October 2025.
Some 83.2% of respondents experienced a climate-related disaster in the previous year, while 94.3% said climate change worries them. Among those who had experienced a disaster, 97.4% reported feelings including fear, grief, hopelessness, stress, or exhaustion.
Preparedness and recovery services
The survey also found that more than half of young people affected by climate-related disasters lacked access to at least one preparedness or recovery service, including information and assistance before, during, or after an emergency.
UNICEF Representative in Malaysia Robert Gass said the findings show that climate change is already affecting young people’s wellbeing, education, and safety. He called for stronger climate adaptation measures, resilient essential services, and greater youth participation in decisions on climate policy.
The 2025 survey updates an earlier study conducted in 2020 by UNDP, UNICEF, and EcoKnights, providing a current picture of how Malaysian youth experience and respond to climate change.
Three priorities identified
The report identifies three areas for action: first, protect children and young people through stronger health, wellbeing, and safety systems; second, support access to education, social protection, and emergency services during climate disruptions; and third, include young people in climate planning and decision-making.
The findings are intended to inform Malaysia’s National Adaptation Plan, disaster risk reduction efforts, and policies covering health, education, and social protection.
Climate disasters hit education across Southeast Asia; calls for expansive measures
The Malaysian findings come as climate-related disasters continue to disrupt children’s lives across Southeast Asia. UNICEF reported in December 2025 that more than 4.1 million children in Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia had their education disrupted by floods, typhoons, and storms since late November.
Viet Nam recorded the largest impact, with about 3 million students affected, followed by 919,000 children in the Philippines, more than 180,700 students in Indonesia, nearly 90,500 in Thailand, and more than 5,000 in Malaysia.
The disruptions extend beyond education. Flooding has damaged water systems in Indonesia and left about 480,000 people in Viet Nam without safe water, while health and nutrition services have also been affected in several countries.
UNICEF said repeated disasters are leaving families with less time and fewer resources to recover, while increasing risks to children’s health, safety, education, and wellbeing.
While UNICEF continues to work with governments on emergency assistance, including safe water, health and nutrition services, and cash assistance for affected families, it said that humanitarian response alone is insufficient and called for greater investment in climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.Measures include resilient water systems, stronger schools and health facilities, and early warning systems that can protect children before disasters strike.
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