UNICEF Report Highlights Over 240 Million Children Affected by Extreme Weather in 2024

A recent UNICEF report revealed that approximately 242 million children missed school in 2024 due to extreme weather, representing one in seven school-going children worldwide. Low-income regions, particularly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, suffered the most. Heatwaves, flooding, and cyclones severely disrupted education, highlighting the urgent need for robust educational systems capable of withstanding such climate-related challenges.

According to a recent report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), nearly 242 million children experienced interruptions to their education in 2024 due to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This statistic underscores the alarming reality that one in seven school-going children worldwide was affected by climate-related hazards last year. Low-income nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa were particularly devastated, with reports of hundreds of schools being destroyed by these environmental calamities.

Other regions also faced significant disruptions; for instance, torrential rains and subsequent flooding in Italy impacted over 900,000 students, while thousands of children in Spain were forced to discontinue their classes. The data indicated that heatwaves emerged as the most common climate threat that hindered education, coinciding with the Earth recording its hottest year to date. In April alone, over 118 million children faced educational interruptions due to heatwave conditions spanning from Gaza to the Philippines.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell expressed concern regarding the vulnerability of children to weather-related crises, noting, “Children’s bodies are uniquely vulnerable. They heat up faster, they sweat less efficiently, and cool down more slowly than adults.” Furthermore, the report illustrated the alarming consequences of flooding on education systems, with Pakistan alone losing more than 400 schools in April due to disastrous floods.

Southern Africa was particularly hit hard by prolonged drought conditions exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon, putting millions of children’s educational futures at risk. Recurrent weather crises such as Cyclone Chido, which devastated the French territory of Mayotte and Mozambique in December, further contributed to the educational disruption, as entire schools were washed away amidst these extreme weather occurrences.

UNICEF highlighted that the global educational infrastructure remains fundamentally unprepared to handle the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, jeopardizing the education and welfare of millions of children worldwide. The alarming findings of this report illustrate the urgent need for robust policy interventions and support systems to shield educational institutions and the children who depend on them from the ongoing climate crisis.

The statement by UNICEF regarding the disruption of education due to extreme weather is reflective of a growing concern about the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations. Schools in various regions, particularly in low-income countries, are increasingly susceptible to severe weather events, which has significant implications for children’s education and welfare. The report emphasizes the urgency of addressing the issues related to climate hazards, particularly as the frequency of such events continues to rise, threatening educational systems that are already fragile.

The alarming data presented by UNICEF regarding the impact of extreme weather on children’s education serves as a clarion call for immediate action. With millions of children affected globally, including severe disruptions in low-income countries, it is critical to strengthen educational infrastructures and devise effective strategies to protect these vulnerable populations from the escalating effects of climate change. Awareness, policy interventions, and targeted assistance are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure that every child has access to education, regardless of their environmental circumstances.

Original Source: www.wral.com