UNICEF reports that nearly 250 million children missed school due to extreme weather in 2024, with heatwaves being a major factor. Low-income countries suffered the most, but harsh conditions were also felt in wealthier regions. The widespread disruption calls for urgent improvements in educational infrastructure to withstand climate challenges.
According to a recent UNICEF report, approximately 242 million children across 85 countries experienced interruptions in their education in the past year due to extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, floods, and cyclones. This alarming figure equates to one in seven school-age children globally being kept out of school at some point during 2024 because of climate-related incidents. Low-income countries, particularly in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, were disproportionately affected.
Significant weather-related disruptions also occurred in wealthier regions, with southern Europe facing catastrophic flooding that impacted over 900,000 children in Italy alone. In Spain, severe floods forced schools to close for countless students. The report highlights that heatwaves, noted as the primary climate crisis affecting education, led to the hottest year on record globally in 2024, underscoring the widespread nature of the crisis.
In April 2024, around 118 million children faced educational interruptions due to intense heat in regions like the Middle East and parts of Asia, where temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized that children are particularly susceptible to the impacts of extreme weather, stating that they are physically vulnerable and struggle to concentrate under oppressive heat conditions.
The report reveals that 74% of affected children come from middle- and low-income nations, indicating the dire consequences of climate extremes in these areas. For example, flooding damaged over 400 schools in Pakistan in April, while Afghanistan witnessed extreme heat followed by severe floods, destroying 110 schools in May.
The ongoing crises have been intensified by the El Niño weather phenomenon, causing droughts in southern Africa that threaten the educational prospects of millions. Cyclone Chido devastated the French territory of Mayotte and Mozambique recently, causing more than 330 schools to be destroyed and leaving countless children out of school.
UNICEF further noted that the global education infrastructure remains largely unprepared to face the challenges posed by extreme weather. The report serves as a critical reminder of the urgent need to address the climate crisis to protect children’s education and future.
The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, attributed to climate change, have devastating consequences on children’s education worldwide. The effects are particularly pronounced in low-income countries where educational infrastructures are less resilient. This report sheds light on the urgent situation affecting millions of school-age children, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to combat climate-related disruptions to schooling.
The UNICEF report highlights a crisis affecting millions of children globally due to extreme weather, with significant educational disruptions particularly in low-income countries. The data illustrates that urgent measures are required to bolster educational resilience against climate impacts. Addressing infrastructure vulnerabilities and enhancing adaptation strategies is essential to safeguard children’s right to education in an increasingly unstable climate environment.
Original Source: www.wral.com
