UNICEF Report: Over 242 Million Children Miss School Due to Extreme Weather
UNICEF reports that over 242 million children across 85 countries missed school in 2024 due to extreme weather events, including heatwaves and flooding. The report highlights that one in seven children globally faced education disruptions, particularly in low-income areas of Asia and Africa, where schools were severely affected. It calls attention to the urgent need for better infrastructure to address the escalating impact of climate change on education.
According to UNICEF, approximately 242 million children in 85 countries experienced interruptions to their education last year due to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This situation affected nearly one in seven school-going children around the world in 2024, indicating a widespread crisis in education linked to climate change. In low-income regions of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the impact was particularly severe, with numerous schools being destroyed or rendered unusable by these climate hazards.
The report highlighted the devastating effects of various natural disasters. In Italy, torrential rains and floods disrupted schooling for over 900,000 children, while catastrophic flooding in Spain also halted classes for thousands. While southern Europe faced deadly floods, Asia and Africa were equally impacted with catastrophic cyclones and severe flooding, creating a precarious situation for educational institutions.
Heatwaves emerged as the most significant climate threat to education. This trend coincided with the planet experiencing its hottest recorded year, with April alone witnessing over 118 million children having disrupted schooling due to prolonged heatwaves across the Middle East and Asia. UNICEF emphasized the unique vulnerabilities children face during these extreme conditions, which limit their ability to focus or attend school.
Approximately 74% of these affected children reside in middle- and low-income countries, showcasing the exacerbated vulnerabilities educational systems face due to climatic extremes. In April, flooding damaged more than 400 schools in Pakistan, and relentless heatwaves followed by flooding destroyed over 110 schools in Afghanistan, underlining the precarious situation in these regions.
Southern Africa has been particularly afflicted by prolonged droughts intensified by the El Niño phenomenon, greatly threatening the educational futures of millions. Additionally, Cyclone Chido in December drastically impacted the French territory of Mayotte, leading to significant educational disruptions, while the cyclone led to the destruction of more than 330 schools in Mozambique.
UNICEF has concluded that the global education systems are predominantly unprepared to effectively manage and respond to the ramifications of extreme weather. This highlights a pressing need for infrastructure and support to be enhanced to protect education from ongoing climatic challenges.
The issue of interrupted education due to extreme weather reflects a larger climate crisis affecting vulnerable populations worldwide. As evidenced by UNICEF’s findings, the impacts of climate change, including severe heatwaves, flooding, and cyclones, disproportionately affect children in lower-income nations. Understanding these challenges is essential for addressing the long-term implications on education and child development. Given that many regions are already struggling with insufficient educational infrastructure, the intersection of climate change and education presents a critical area for intervention and support from global organizations and governments alike.
In conclusion, the statistics provided by UNICEF reveal an alarming trend of educational disruptions affecting millions of children across the globe due to climate-related disasters. The report emphasizes a need for increased preparedness and adaptation measures for educational institutions to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events. Moreover, it underscores the vulnerability of children and highlights the urgent need for targeted support and resources in low-income countries to ensure all children have continued access to education amidst ongoing climatic challenges.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
