Kangaroo Valley has faced three severe fires and floods in three years, notably experiencing the Black Summer Bush Fire in 2019 and subsequent flooding in 2022. This has led to significant emotional distress among young residents, including anxiety and a feeling of isolation from their support systems. A report by Deloitte, commissioned by UNICEF Australia, highlights the long-term economic impacts of these disasters on youth, estimating that they could cost $100 billion by 2060. The key issues include decreased high school completion rates and the associated loss of lifetime earnings, which could amount to more than $5.3 billion annually.
Katie Maskiell from UNICEF Australia emphasizes the importance of maintaining connections with students post-disaster, asserting that mental health consequences from these events could lead to substantial economic costs. Additionally, an increase in family stress often correlates with rising domestic violence in the aftermath of such disasters.
Future projections indicate that higher emissions scenarios may exacerbate costs associated with young people, potentially increasing annual costs to $12.1 billion. UNICEF advocates for a comprehensive policy framework to better support youth during and after natural disasters, focusing on education and mental health resources. Young leaders like Wang stress the need for targeted support for young people who often feel neglected in disaster recovery efforts.
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