Over 420,000 Children Affected by Drought in Amazon, Urges UNICEF for Action

The United Nations reports that over 420,000 children are impacted by a drought in the Amazon region, necessitating urgent climate financing. UNICEF has warned of severe food insecurity and closure of essential services, urging leaders at COP29 to respond effectively to the crisis caused by the current El Niño phenomenon.

According to the United Nations, over 420,000 children in the Amazon basin are suffering from severe water scarcity due to a record drought impacting Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. UNICEF has emphasized the dire consequences, particularly for Indigenous communities that rely on river access for their daily needs. In light of the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell urged world leaders to significantly increase climate funding aimed at supporting children affected by climate crises. The drought, exacerbated by the current El Niño phenomenon, has also led to widespread food insecurity and health risks in communities across the region. The deterioration of essential services, including the closure of more than 1,700 schools and 760 medical facilities in the Brazilian Amazon, further highlights the crisis’s severity. UNICEF is appealing for $10 million in funding to aid vulnerable populations by providing access to clean water and health services, amidst a broader plea for urgent climate action.

The Amazon basin is currently experiencing unprecedented drought, a situation made more critical due to the ongoing impacts of climate change. The drought, which began last year, has led to dangerous levels of water shortages affecting over 420,000 children and their communities across Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. As Brazil’s Environment Ministry notes a significant reduction in deforestation rates, the effects of climate change remain a pressing concern, particularly in relation to food security and healthcare access for vulnerable populations. The El Niño phenomenon has been identified as a significant factor contributing to the ongoing drought, compounding challenges faced by local communities dependent on the Amazon’s resources.

In summary, the drought in the Amazon is causing a humanitarian crisis affecting over 420,000 children in the region. The current water scarcity poses severe threats to food security, health, and education. UNICEF has called for urgent financial support from global leaders to address these challenges as the world gathers at the COP29 climate summit. Efforts to combat climate change and protect vulnerable communities in the Amazon are critical for fostering sustainable solutions and ensuring the well-being of future generations.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com