UNICEF Reports Nearly 250 Million Children Affected by Extreme…

UNICEF reported that nearly 242 million children missed school last year due to extreme weather, impacting education mainly in low-income countries. Heatwaves were the leading cause of school closures, particularly affecting regions in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The report highlights the increasing vulnerability of children to climate-related challenges, urging for greater preparedness in educational systems.

According to UNICEF, nearly 242 million children in 85 countries missed school last year due to severe weather events, which included heatwaves, cyclones, floods, and more. This translates to approximately one in seven students worldwide experiencing disruptions in their education in 2024 because of climate-related hazards. Low-income nations, particularly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, faced the brunt of these challenges, with hundreds of schools destroyed.

Southern Europe also faced significant disruptions, as torrential rains and flooding in Italy affected over 900,000 students, alongside similar incidents in Spain. Last year, the frequency of heatwaves played a pivotal role in school closures, with climate records indicating it was the hottest year recorded. In April alone, over 118 million children were kept out of school due to extreme heat across several regions, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, where temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

Catherine Russell, the UNICEF executive director, emphasized the heightened vulnerability of children to weather-related crises, stating: “Children’s bodies are uniquely vulnerable. They heat up faster, they sweat less efficiently, and cool down more slowly than adults.” In addition, the alarm was raised regarding the impact of flooding and damage to schools on children’s educational systems across the world, revealing the inadequacies in responding to such extreme weather events.

The report highlights that 74% of the affected children reside in middle- and low-income countries, underscoring the disproportionate impact of climate extremes on impoverished regions. For example, in April, flooding destroyed over 400 schools in Pakistan, while severe weather in Afghanistan led to the destruction of more than 110 schools within the same timeframe. The ongoing drought in southern Africa, aggravated by the El Niño phenomenon, is further jeopardizing educational prospects for millions.

The devastation caused by Cyclone Chido in December not only ruined infrastructure in Mayotte but also displaced students across the islands for six weeks. In Mozambique, the cyclone demolished more than 330 schools, illustrating the critical educational challenges facing children in these areas. UNICEF’s findings assert that the global education systems remain inadequately prepared to handle the repercussions of extreme weather events.

This report sheds light on the significant educational disruptions experienced by children worldwide due to climate change. It draws attention to how extreme weather events, exacerbated by global warming, have increasingly impacted school attendance and infrastructure, particularly in developing nations. The continued threat of climate hazards has raised concerns about the long-term implications for children’s education and well-being, particularly in vulnerable regions.

In conclusion, the alarming statistics reported by UNICEF indicate that extreme weather continues to severely interrupt education for millions of children globally. The findings call for urgent attention to improve educational infrastructure and preparedness to better support the most vulnerable students against the escalating impacts of climate change.

Original Source: www.wral.com