UNICEF Reports 250 Million Children Disrupted by Extreme Weather

Nearly 250 million children globally missed school due to extreme weather last year, with significant disruptions reported in low-income countries. Heatwaves emerged as the predominant climate hazard, affecting hundreds of thousands of students and causing extensive school damage, particularly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. UNICEF highlights the urgent need for education systems to better adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change.

According to a recent UNICEF report, nearly 250 million children experienced interruptions to their education last year due to extreme weather events. This encompassed at least 242 million children across 85 nations, affected by incidents such as heatwaves, cyclones, and floods. As a consequence, approximately one in seven school-aged children globally missed classes due to these climate-related disruptions, particularly impacting low-income regions in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

The report highlights the severe impact of natural disasters on education systems, revealing that numerous schools were destroyed, which exacerbated existing challenges in accessing education. Southern Europe was also afflicted; for example, torrential weather in Italy disrupted schooling for over 900,000 children during the latter part of the year, while catastrophic flooding in Spain halted classes for thousands.

In 2024, the main climate threat was noted as heatwaves, which were especially intense, leading to record-setting temperatures worldwide. UNICEF reported that over 118 million children had their schooling affected in just April, amidst extreme heat conditions spanning the Middle East and Asia, where temperatures surpassed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the heightened vulnerability of children to climate impacts, stating, “Children’s bodies are uniquely vulnerable. They heat up faster, they sweat less efficiently, and cool down more slowly than adults.” According to Russell, the rigorous heat makes classroom environments unbearable and disrupts transportation to schools when flooding occurs.

The report further noted that around 74% of the affected children were from middle- and low-income countries, demonstrating the profound effects of climatic extremes on disadvantaged populations. In April, floods in Pakistan destroyed over 400 schools, while severe weather in Afghanistan resulted in the loss of over 110 schools in May. Furthermore, prolonged droughts in southern Africa, exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, jeopardized the educational prospects of millions of children.

The situation remains dire, as the Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte sustained damage from Cyclone Chido in December, followed by further disruptions from Tropical Storm Dikeledi. Cyclone Chido also ravaged more than 330 schools in Mozambique, where educational access was already precarious. UNICEF concluded that global educational institutions are predominantly ill-equipped to adapt to the repercussions of extreme weather events.

The issue of climate-related educational disruption is increasingly critical as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe due to climate change. Children are particularly susceptible to the consequences of natural disasters, which not only hinder access to education but also negatively affect their overall health and well-being. The ongoing climate crisis disproportionately impacts low-income regions, where infrastructures are less resilient, pushing the need for urgent intervention and adaptation strategies within educational systems worldwide.

The consequences of extreme weather on children’s education are staggering, with UNICEF reporting that millions have been affected. As climatic hazards continue to intensify, particularly in low-income regions, the implications for education are profound. The necessity for resilient educational infrastructures and effective crisis response strategies has never been more urgent, as schools remain unprepared to handle the challenges posed by extreme weather events.

Original Source: www.nbcphiladelphia.com