UNICEF Report: 242 Million Children Affected by Extreme Weather Disruptions in Education

UNICEF reported that nearly 242 million children experienced school disruptions last year due to climate issues like heatwaves and floods. This represents one in seven school-aged children globally unable to attend classes. The most affected regions include low-income countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, alongside significant incidents in southern Europe.

According to a recent report by UNICEF, nearly 242 million children in 85 countries were unable to attend school last year due to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This statistic equates to roughly one in seven school-age children globally facing interruptions in their education during 2024 due to climate-related hazards.

The report highlights that various countries suffered significant school destruction due to adverse weather conditions, particularly in impoverished regions of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. In southern Europe, schools were also affected, as torrential rains and floods disrupted the education of over 900,000 children in Italy and others in Spain.

UNICEF noted that heatwaves were the most pervasive climate threat to education last year, coinciding with the planet’s hottest recorded year. Notably, in April, over 118 million children experienced interruptions in their schooling as extensive heatwaves swept through the Middle East and Asia, raising temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Children are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of weather crises, as stated by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. She emphasized the physical vulnerability of children, explaining that they heat up more rapidly and are less efficient at regulating their body temperature, affecting their ability to learn in overheated classrooms or reach school yards that are inundated with water.

Approximately 74% of the affected children resided in middle- and low-income nations, illustrating the severe impact of climatic extremes on the most disadvantaged countries. For instance, significant flooding in Pakistan and heat-related flooding in Afghanistan led to the destruction of numerous schools, exacerbating educational challenges in these regions.

Furthermore, prolonged drought conditions in southern Africa, intensified by the El Niño phenomenon, threaten the educational prospects for millions of children. Recent cyclones, such as Cyclone Chido, devastated Mayotte, leading to prolonged school closures and revealing the ongoing challenges faced by students.

The destruction of educational facilities in countries like Mozambique, where Cyclone Chido ruined over 330 schools, points to a pressing crisis. UNICEF cautioned that the global education systems remain largely unprepared to cope with the persistent impacts of extreme weather events.

The rising frequency of extreme weather occurrences due to climate change has significantly disrupted education systems worldwide. The economic ramifications of these events are particularly pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, where infrastructure may already be vulnerable. Understanding the scale of this issue helps highlight the urgency of addressing climate resilience within educational frameworks.

The findings of UNICEF’s report underscore the critical need for global awareness and action regarding the impact of climate change on children’s education. As extreme weather becomes more prevalent, it is essential to improve the resilience of educational infrastructures, particularly in regions most afflicted by these conditions. Resolving these educational disruptions will require concerted efforts from governments, NGOs, and the international community.

Original Source: www.usnews.com