UNICEF’s report highlights that nearly 250 million children missed school last year due to extreme weather, with heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding severely impacting education in 85 countries. Approximately 74% of those affected were in low-income regions, underlining the urgent need for improved climate resilience in educational infrastructure.
A recent report from UNICEF reveals that nearly 250 million children worldwide experienced interruptions to their education due to extreme weather events last year. These disruptions were primarily caused by heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding, impacting at least 242 million children across 85 countries. This represents about one in seven school-aged children globally.
In addition to extreme weather incidents, the report highlights that many schools in low-income countries, particularly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, were severely damaged or destroyed. Southern Europe faced major disruptions as over 900,000 children in Italy and thousands in Spain were affected by torrential rainfall and flooding.
UNICEF reported that heatwaves were the leading cause of educational interruptions, coinciding with 2024 being the hottest year recorded. In April alone, over 118 million children had their schooling affected due to extreme heat conditions, particularly across the Middle East and Asia, where temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s executive director, emphasized that children are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which include heatwaves, storms, and flooding. “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,” she stated.
The report notes that approximately 74% of the affected children reside in middle- and low-income countries, underscoring the disproportionate impact of climate extremes on the world’s poorest regions. Notable examples include the flooding in Pakistan, which damaged over 400 schools, and severe flooding in Afghanistan that impacted more than 110 schools.
The ongoing series of climate-related crises demonstrates little sign of relent, as seen with Cyclone Chido’s devastation in Mayotte and Mozambique, where hundreds of schools and education infrastructure were destroyed. UNICEF asserts that educational institutions globally are inadequately prepared to address the challenges posed by such extreme weather conditions.
The UNICEF report sheds light on the escalating impact of climate change on children’s education worldwide, particularly as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe. In recent years, significant climatic phenomena, including heatwaves, floods, and hurricanes, have continued to disrupt schooling, especially in vulnerable regions. The interconnectedness of climate change and educational disruption presents a growing concern for both immediate access to education and the long-term future of children globally.
In summary, UNICEF’s findings illustrate a critical challenge facing education systems worldwide due to climate change. With millions of children affected by educational disruptions caused by extreme weather, there is an urgent need for global initiatives to address climate resilience in schools. Comprehensive strategies are required to safeguard educational opportunities, particularly for those in the poorest and most vulnerable communities.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
