UNICEF Report Reveals 250 Million Children Affected by Extreme Weather Interruptions to Education
UNICEF reported that nearly 250 million children missed schooling last year due to extreme weather related to climate change. These disruptions affected one in seven school-aged children globally, particularly in low-income countries. Severe weather like heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding have led to significant destruction of educational facilities, emphasizing the urgent need for resilient education infrastructure.
According to UNICEF, nearly 250 million children were kept out of school last year due to extreme weather events, reflecting the impact of climate hazards on global education. This figure represents one in seven school-aged children worldwide who faced disruptions in their education. The organization’s report highlighted that 242 million of these interruptions occurred across 85 countries due to events like heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding.
The destruction caused by extreme weather affected educational infrastructure severely, with low-income nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa experiencing significant losses. For instance, in southern Europe, torrential rains and floods prevented over 900,000 children from attending school, while catastrophic flooding also interrupted classes in Spain. Heatwaves were particularly detrimental, as last year marked the hottest on record, impacting more than 118 million children in April alone throughout regions such as the Middle East and Asia.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated that children are particularly susceptible to climate-related crises. She emphasized that children’s physiological responses make them more vulnerable to heat and flooding, impacting their ability to learn and access schooling. Approximately 74% of the affected youth reside in middle- and low-income countries, highlighting the disproportionate effect of climate extremes on the most impoverished populations.
Specific incidents, such as the flooding in Pakistan that damaged over 400 schools and the subsequent heatwaves in Afghanistan, showcase the severe disruption to education. In addition, deteriorating conditions in southern Africa, worsened by the El Niño phenomenon, further threaten the educational prospects of countless children. Recently, the French territory of Mayotte suffered devastation from Cyclone Chido, with additional disruption from Tropical Storm Dikeledi leading to extended school closures.
UNICEF concluded that education systems worldwide are ill-equipped to handle the repercussions of extreme weather, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced resilience in schools. With climate change intensifying weather events, active measures must be taken to protect children’s right to education and ensure their futures are secure amidst these challenges.
The topic examines the alarming impact of climate change on children’s education globally, as reported by UNICEF. The phenomenon of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, cyclones, and floods, has led to widespread school closures, adversely affecting millions of children, particularly in lower-income regions. This situation raises concerns about the ability of educational systems to adapt and survive amidst growing natural disasters driven by climate change, thus necessitating urgent action to build resilience.
In summary, UNICEF’s findings indicate a critical link between extreme weather and educational disruptions, affecting approximately 250 million children globally. The report emphasizes that the most vulnerable populations endure the most significant consequences, with educational infrastructures increasingly threatened by climate hazards. Without proactive measures and structural improvements to education systems, the future of many children remains at risk due to the escalating impacts of climate change.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
