UNICEF Report: 242 Million Children Affected by Extreme Weather Interruptions

UNICEF reports that 242 million children faced school disruptions due to extreme weather in 2024. Low-income nations, particularly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, were most severely impacted. Notable incidents include floods in Italy and Spain, causing widespread class interruptions. The report emphasizes children’s vulnerability to climate crises, advocating for more robust educational resilience against such events.

According to UNICEF, nearly 242 million children from 85 countries experienced school interruptions last year due to extreme weather events, including heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This represents approximately one in seven school-age children globally affected by climate-related hazards during 2024. Notably, low-income nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa faced the most severe disruptions.

Regions such as southern Europe and parts of Asia were also impacted significantly, with Italy reporting disruptions for over 900,000 children caused by torrential rains and flooding. In Spain, thousands were out of class due to catastrophic floods. However, the most common climate threat reported was heatwaves, as 2024 marked the earth’s hottest year recorded.

In April alone, UNICEF highlighted that over 118 million children had their education disrupted by extreme heat affecting regions from Gaza to the Philippines, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director, emphasized children’s vulnerabilities to these crises due to their physiological differences from adults, impacting their ability to learn and attend school.

The crisis disproportionately impacted children in middle- and low-income countries, where about 74% of affected children reside. In April, flooding destroyed over 400 schools in Pakistan, and Afghanistan witnessed similar outcomes with severe flooding following heatwaves, losing more than 110 schools in May. Southern Africa also faced prolonged droughts influenced by the El Niño phenomenon, further jeopardizing educational opportunities.

The educational landscape continues to face adverse consequences, as exemplified by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte. This cyclone devastated the region in December, leaving children out of school for an extended period. Cyclone Chido also destroyed over 330 schools in Mozambique, exacerbating existing educational challenges in an area where access to education is already limited.

UNICEF concluded that global educational institutions are insufficiently equipped to manage the repercussions of extreme weather events, necessitating urgent attention and resources to protect children’s education against climate impacts.

The UNICEF report sheds light on the significant and increasing interference that extreme weather patterns have on children’s education worldwide. As climate change leads to the escalation of natural disasters, children, particularly in vulnerable regions, face interrupted schooling which has long-lasting effects on their development and future opportunities. The report highlights specific challenges faced by low-income countries and stresses the urgent need for global attention and action to address these issues.

In summary, the devastating impact of extreme weather on children’s education, as reported by UNICEF, underscores the urgent need to address climate vulnerabilities in educational systems. With millions of children affected globally, particularly in low-income nations, there is an imperative to draw attention to increasing climatic extremes and their consequences. Protecting children’s right to education in this climate-challenged world must be a global priority.

Original Source: www.nbcphiladelphia.com