UNICEF reports that 242 million children worldwide missed school in 2024 because of extreme weather conditions. Low-income countries were particularly hard hit, experiencing significant disruptions due to climate hazards like heatwaves and floods. The report underscores the need for improved resilience in education systems to protect children from ongoing climate-related crises.
According to a recent UNICEF report, nearly 242 million children in 85 countries experienced interruptions to their education due to extreme weather events in 2024. This translates to approximately one in seven children globally losing school time because of climate-related hazards, such as heatwaves, floods, and cyclones. Low-income regions, particularly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, faced significant devastation, with entire schools destroyed by storms and flooding.
The report highlighted widespread school disruptions, with southern Europe also affected. For instance, severe flooding in Italy impacted over 900,000 students, and extreme weather in Spain halted classes for numerous children. Among all climatic factors, heatwaves were identified as the most prevalent issue affecting education last year, coinciding with record-breaking global temperatures.
In April 2024 alone, more than 118 million children faced educational interruptions due to intense heatwaves in regions ranging from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, where temperatures exceeded 104 degrees Fahrenheit. UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, emphasized the vulnerability of children to climate crises, noting that their physiological responses make them particularly susceptible to heat stress.
The majority of affected children, approximately 74%, resided in middle- and low-income countries, underscoring the severe impact of climate extremes on the most economically disadvantaged. For example, in Pakistan, flooding destroyed over 400 schools, while in Afghanistan, heatwaves and subsequent flooding damaged over 110 schools in May.
The crisis faced by children in education systems is exacerbated by prolonged drought in southern Africa, significantly influenced by the El Niño weather pattern. Additionally, during December, Cyclone Chido devastated the French territory of Mayotte, and further storms continued to hinder educational access for children in Mozambique, impacting over 330 schools.
UNICEF voices concern that educational institutions around the world are inadequately prepared to cope with the consequences of extreme weather. The cumulative effect on children’s education raises urgent questions about the resilience of educational systems in disaster-prone regions.
The impact of climate change has increasingly disrupted educational access for children globally, with the latest UNICEF report shedding light on the alarming statistics. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, children are disproportionately affected due to their physical vulnerabilities, leading to widespread interruptions in schooling. Low-income countries are notably more susceptible to these disruptions, revealing the urgent need for global awareness and additional support to protect children’s education from climate-related hazards.
In summary, the alarming disruptions to education caused by extreme weather events demonstrate an urgent need for global action to address climate change. With millions of children affected, particularly in low-income nations, it is crucial to bolster educational infrastructures and enhance resilience to future climate-related challenges. As highlighted by UNICEF, recognizing the unique vulnerabilities of children is essential for safeguarding their education in the face of escalating climate threats.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
