Approximately one in eight children worldwide has been significantly affected by extreme weather events in 2024, as reported by Save the Children. The findings reveal that around 300 million children in Asia, Africa, and Brazil are enduring the aftermath of disasters, leading to displacement, reliance on aid, and missed educational opportunities. As leaders convene for COP29, there is a pressing need to focus on children’s rights and vulnerabilities in climate policy discussions.
According to a recent report by Save the Children, approximately one in eight children around the globe has been significantly affected by the ten most severe extreme weather events of 2024. This situation has forced many children to flee their homes, rely on humanitarian aid, or forgo their education. The analysis covers events occurring between January 1 and October 29, impacting around 300 million children in Asia, Africa, and Brazil, which equates to roughly 12.5% of the total child population of 2.4 billion. Such extreme climate events included widespread flooding in West and Central Africa, a devastating drought in Southern Africa, and a heatwave in South Asia, all of which have drastically affected children’s lives. As leaders gather for the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, Save the Children emphasizes the urgent need to address the rights and vulnerabilities of children affected by climate change. With an increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events attributed to climate change, children’s populations in low- and middle-income nations are disproportionately impacted. For instance, Tropical Storm Trami in the Philippines led to 19.5 million school suspensions, while an unprecedented heatwave affected 256 million children in South Asia. Children’s testimonies reveal the harsh realities they face: 12-year-old Kyariyam from Nigeria recounted the devastation caused by floods that forced her family from their home and disrupted her education. Similarly, Zinhle, a 14-year-old from Zimbabwe, described how drought has led to food shortages and school dropouts among her peers. These stories underscore the direct link between climate impacts and children’s rights, sparking calls for immediate action from global leaders at COP29. Save the Children’s CEO, Inger Ashing, articulated the need for integrating children’s rights into climate finance discussions, asserting that this issue transcends a mere climate crisis to become a critical child rights crisis. She emphasized that urgent collective action is essential to address the persistent inequalities faced by children in vulnerable regions affected by extreme weather. By incorporating children’s experiences and voices into decision-making processes, particularly in crafting effective climate finance and adaptation strategies, the COP29 summit aims to prioritise addressing the unique challenges that climate change poses for children globally.
The article highlights the significant impact of extreme weather events on children globally, specifically emphasizing the challenges posed by climate change. As climate-related disasters become increasingly frequent and severe, their consequences disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The analysis from Save the Children seeks to raise awareness of these issues as world leaders meet at the COP29 summit. The urgency of prioritizing children’s rights within climate discussions is brought to the forefront, illustrating how extreme weather leads to education disruptions and humanitarian crises for millions of children.
The findings presented by Save the Children underscore the immediate need for global leaders to address the impact of extreme weather on children, with a clear call for prioritizing their rights in climate discussions. The testimonies from affected youths illuminate how climate change perpetuates inequality and jeopardizes children’s futures. As the COP29 summit approaches, it becomes imperative that strategies are formulated to effectively integrate children’s experiences into climate action, ensuring their unique vulnerabilities are adequately addressed.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
