UNICEF Reports 242 Million Children Affected by Extreme Weather in 2024

According to UNICEF, 242 million children missed school in 2024 due to extreme weather events. Heatwaves were the primary cause of school disruptions, impacting predominantly low-income nations. Regions like southern Europe also faced significant weather-related challenges, with severe floods hindering access to education. The report underscores the urgent need for resilient educational systems to combat the effects of climate change on schooling.

In a recent report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), it was revealed that approximately 242 million children from 85 countries missed school last year due to various extreme weather events, including heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This statistic reflects the alarming reality that one in seven school-aged children worldwide experienced disruptions in education due to climate-related hazards in 2024.

The consequences of extreme weather were particularly devastating in low-income countries across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where numerous educational institutions were destroyed. Moreover, regions such as southern Europe were also affected, with Italy and Spain experiencing significant floods that resulted in school closures for over 900,000 children.

Heatwaves emerged as the leading climate threat affecting education, with April alone witnessing over 118 million children subjected to interruptions. Countries across the Middle East and Asia faced intense heatwaves, where temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), hindering children’s ability to concentrate in classrooms and access their schools amid flooded paths.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell highlighted the vulnerability of children to weather crises, noting their physiological differences compared to adults, which makes them more susceptible to heat and flooding. The report mentioned that 74% of affected children reside in middle- and low-income nations, thereby showcasing the disproportionate impact of climate change on more impoverished populations.

Flooding in places like Pakistan and severe weather incidents in Afghanistan during 2024 destroyed hundreds of schools, exacerbating educational challenges in these regions. Additionally, months of drought in southern Africa, worsened by the El Niño phenomenon, have threatened the future of millions of youngsters.

The crises caused by extreme weather show little sign of relief, as evidenced by the devastation faced in the French territory of Mayotte due to Cyclone Chido, followed by Tropical Storm Dikeledi. In Mozambique, Cyclone Chido obliterated over 330 schools at a time when access to education was already critically low, underlining the urgent need for resilient educational infrastructure.

The UNICEF report concludes that global education systems are poorly prepared to manage the detrimental effects of climate change, underscoring the need for strategic interventions to safeguard educational continuity in the face of increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

The report by UNICEF emphasizes the alarming impact of climate change on children’s education globally, particularly in low-income countries where infrastructure is less resilient to environmental stresses. The rising frequency of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and floods, poses a significant threat to schooling, reinforcing the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to protect education in vulnerable regions. The well-being of children, especially their ability to learn, is directly jeopardized by these climatic phenomena, underscoring the intersection of climate change and education policy.

In summary, the UNICEF report reveals that severe weather events have adversely affected the education of 242 million children globally, with particular emphasis on low-income countries. The data highlights the urgent need for educational systems and infrastructure that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change. This report calls for immediate attention and action to ensure the continuity of education for children in the face of growing climate-related adversities.

Original Source: www.usnews.com