UNICEF Reports 242 Million Children Miss School Due to Extreme Weather

UNICEF reports that approximately 242 million children globally missed school in 2024 due to extreme weather events. The effects were most severe in low-income countries, particularly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Heatwaves were identified as the predominant hazard affecting schooling, with the authority urging for better preparedness of schools to cope with climate extremes.

According to a recent report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), approximately 242 million children in 85 countries faced interruptions in their education last year due to extreme weather events, including heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This staggering number represents one in seven school-aged children globally who had to miss classes due to climate-related hazards.

Various regions experienced significant disruptions; for instance, Italy saw torrential rains and flooding affecting over 900,000 children, while Spain faced school closures following catastrophic floods. Particularly vulnerable are low-income nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where the repercussions of extreme weather were most severe.

UNICEF reported that heatwaves were the primary climate hazard leading to school closures, especially as 2024 was recorded as the hottest year on record. In April alone, over 118 million children experienced disrupted schooling due to unprecedented heatwaves across the Middle East and Asia, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director, emphasized the unique vulnerability of children to weather-related crises. She remarked, “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.”

Around 74% of affected children live in middle- and low-income countries, accentuating the severe impact of climatic extremes on impoverished nations. For example, flooding in Pakistan ruined over 400 schools, while Afghanistan suffered from heatwaves that followed severe flooding, affecting more than 110 schools.

The situation appears to be worsening, with Cyclone Chido causing devastation in Mayotte and Mozambique, wrecking multiple schools in both regions. UNICEF highlights that the global education systems are largely unprepared for the adverse effects of extreme weather.

In summary, the intersection of climate change and educational access poses a significant challenge for millions of children worldwide, especially in the poorest nations that are disproportionately affected by climate hazards. This report calls for urgent action to address and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather on education.

The ongoing impacts of climate change are manifesting in various hazardous weather conditions, directly affecting the availability of education for millions of children globally. Reports from UNICEF have illustrated the scale of this disruption, indicating that children’s education is not only compromised by direct weather impacts, such as destruction of schools, but also by the environmental conditions that prevent them from getting to school. Low-income countries are particularly vulnerable as they often lack the infrastructure to cope with such events, leading to a cycle of disadvantage that jeopardizes the future of countless children.

The report from UNICEF serves as a critical reminder of how climate change is interrupting education for millions, particularly in vulnerable regions. The statistics underline the urgent need for systemic changes in global education practices to adapt to the realities of climate change. Effective strategies must be implemented to better equip schools to face extreme weather, ensuring that future generations can continue their education, regardless of climatic challenges.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com