UNICEF Reports Nearly 250 Million Children Affected by Extreme Weather Disruptions
UNICEF reports that 250 million children missed school last year due to extreme weather, affecting one in seven school-going children worldwide. The disruptions were most severe in low-income nations, with significant incidents across multiple regions. Heatwaves were the predominant cause, highlighting the urgent need for educational resilience against climate change impacts.
According to UNICEF’s recent report, nearly 250 million children globally missed school last year due to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This disruption affected one in seven school-going children, with 242 million from 85 different countries experiencing interruptions in their education. Notably, low-income nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa were particularly impacted, highlighting the severe consequences of climate change on education.
The report details the destruction of hundreds of schools due to climate-related events, emphasizing that no region has been immune. For instance, severe flooding in Italy near year-end led to school closures for over 900,000 children, while similar events were reported in Spain. However, the primary threat to schooling last year was heatwaves, with the planet experiencing its hottest year on record.
In April alone, more than 118 million children faced educational challenges, primarily due to extreme heat across regions like the Middle East and Asia, where temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stressed the heightened vulnerability of children during such crises, noting their physiological differences compared to adults, which complicates their ability to cope with extreme heat.
Approximately 74% of the affected children were from middle- and low-income countries, indicating that the poorest nations are bearing the brunt of climate extremes. In April, flooding in Pakistan damaged over 400 schools, while severe heatwaves followed by flooding in Afghanistan destroyed 110 schools in May, underscoring the urgent need for support in these areas.
The report also highlights ongoing crises, such as Cyclone Chido devastating the French territory of Mayotte and the destruction of over 330 schools in Mozambique. Access to educational facilities remains critically impacted in these regions, emphasizing the urgent need for strengthening educational resilience against climate-related disruptions globally, as existing systems are ill-prepared to handle such challenges.
UNICEF’s report illuminates the significant disruption to education caused by extreme weather events, which are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change. The findings underscore how various climate hazards, including heatwaves, floods, and cyclones, adversely affect children’s schooling, particularly in vulnerable regions. This context is vital to understanding the importance of addressing climate impacts on educational stability and child welfare.
In summary, UNICEF’s report reveals a staggering impact of extreme weather on children’s education, with millions missing school due to climate-related disruptions. The substantial challenges faced by low-income and vulnerable communities highlight the need for targeted interventions. Strengthening educational infrastructure and resilience is essential to mitigate these impacts and ensure that all children have access to a stable learning environment, despite the growing threats posed by climate change.
Original Source: www.wral.com
