UNICEF Report: 242 Million Children Affected by Extreme Weather Disruptions to Education
UNICEF reported that 242 million children in 85 countries had their education disrupted last year due to extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and floods, affecting one in seven school-going children globally. Low-income nations suffered severe losses, with hundreds of schools destroyed. The report highlights the unique vulnerabilities of children to climate hazards and emphasizes the urgent need for better support in education systems.
According to UNICEF, nearly 242 million children across 85 nations experienced interruptions in their education last year due to various climate-related events such as heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This disruption affected one in seven children globally who attend school, highlighting the widespread impact of climate hazards on education systems worldwide.
The report emphasizes that low-income countries, particularly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, encountered severe losses with hundreds of schools destroyed. However, even regions like southern Europe were affected, experiencing extreme weather conditions that disrupted schooling for hundreds of thousands of children, notably in Italy and Spain.
UNICEF noted that heatwaves were the primary climate challenge that led to school closures, coinciding with the record heat experienced on the planet. In April alone, over 118 million children faced educational disruptions due to a significant heatwave across the Middle East and Asia, where temperatures exceeded 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Catherine Russell, the UNICEF Executive Director, stated that children are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of climate-related crises. Due to their physiological differences, children face greater challenges in extreme weather, which hampers their concentration in classrooms and their ability to commute to schools affected by flooding or damage.
A staggering 74% of the affected children were from middle- and low-income countries, showcasing the disproportionate impact of climatic extremes on the most vulnerable populations. In April, flooding led to the destruction of over 400 schools in Pakistan while Afghanistan experienced severe educational losses due to concurrent heatwaves and flooding in May.
The report also highlights the dire situation in southern Africa, where prolonged drought conditions, worsened by the El Niño phenomenon, are jeopardizing the futures of many children. In December, Cyclone Chido devastated the poor French territory of Mayotte, and subsequent storms further hindered educational access for weeks.
Moreover, Cyclone Chido demolished more than 330 schools in Mozambique, a country already grappling with educational access issues. The report concludes that global education systems are ill-prepared to handle the repercussions of extreme weather phenomena on schooling and education.
The article discusses the alarming statistics provided by UNICEF regarding school interruptions experienced by children worldwide due to extreme weather events. It emphasizes how climate change disproportionately affects low-income countries, worsening educational access and infrastructure. By exploring specific examples from various regions, the article highlights the urgent need for improved resilience in educational systems to confront the increasing challenges posed by climate hazards.
In conclusion, UNICEF’s report underscores the critical impact of extreme weather on children’s education, revealing that millions have faced interruptions last year from heatwaves, floods, and cyclones. The findings stress the vulnerability of children in low-income regions and the urgent need for educational systems to enhance their resilience against climate-related challenges. This situation calls for immediate action to safeguard children’s access to education in the face of ongoing climate crises.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
