UNICEF Reports Nearly 250 Million Children Miss School Due to Extreme Weather
A UNICEF report indicates that around 250 million children missed school last year due to extreme weather, with heatwaves, flooding, and cyclones being the primary causes. The effects were particularly pronounced in lower-income nations, yet even developed regions faced disruptions. The report stresses the need for educational systems to adapt to these growing climate challenges.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that nearly 250 million children missed school last year due to extreme weather events. Specifically, at least 242 million children across 85 nations experienced interruptions in their education caused by climate-related disasters such as heatwaves, cyclones, and floods. This represents about one in seven school-age children globally being affected at some point during 2024.
The effects were particularly severe among low-income countries, especially in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, other regions also faced challenges, as torrential rains and subsequent floods in Italy disrupted schooling for more than 900,000 children, while Spain dealt with similar catastrophic flooding that halted classes for thousands.
According to UNICEF, heatwaves constituted the primary climate hazard impacting educational access last year amid record high global temperatures. In April alone, over 118 million children had their schooling disrupted during extreme heat events spanning the Middle East and parts of Asia, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell highlighted the heightened vulnerability of children to climate-related crises, which include increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves, storms, droughts, and floods. “Children cannot concentrate in classrooms that offer no respite from sweltering heat, and they cannot get to school if the path is flooded, or if schools are washed away,” she stated, underscoring the severe implications of these challenges.
The report emphasized that approximately 74% of affected children reside in middle- and low-income countries, evidencing the devastating impacts of climate extremes on the most disadvantaged populations. For instance, flooding in Pakistan affected over 400 schools in April, while severe heatwaves followed by flooding led to the destruction of more than 110 schools in Afghanistan.
The ongoing crises are compounded by climatic conditions such as drought, exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, presenting threats to the educational prospects of millions in southern Africa. Recent weather events, including Cyclone Chido and Tropical Storm Dikeledi, resulted in substantial destruction, further impeding access to education for vulnerable children in various territories.
UNICEF concluded that the current global education systems and schools remain inadequately prepared to address the escalating impacts of extreme weather events, which pose significant challenges to sustaining education for children worldwide.
In recent years, the impacts of climate change have become increasingly evident, affecting various aspects of human life, including education. Extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts disrupt schooling, disproportionately impacting children in middle- and low-income countries. This issue has serious implications for children’s safety, wellbeing, and future opportunities, prompting calls for greater awareness and action to protect educational outcomes from the effects of climate change. UNICEF’s report sheds light on these urgent challenges and highlights the need for enhanced emergency preparedness in educational settings.
UNICEF’s report reveals that nearly 250 million children missed school in 2024 due to extreme weather events, emphasizing the unsettling reality that one in seven school-going children worldwide faced interruptions in their education. The crisis predominantly affects low-income countries, where resources are scarce, and highlights the urgent need for education systems globally to adapt to the changing climate and its impacts. As the threat of extreme weather continues to grow, it is vital to prioritize strategies that safeguard children’s education and wellbeing.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
