UNICEF Reports Nearly 250 Million Children Affected by Climate-Related School Interruptions
Nearly 250 million children globally missed school last year due to extreme weather, according to UNICEF. The report highlights the severe impact on low-income nations, especially in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, while also noting disruptions in Europe. Heatwaves emerged as the predominant climate hazard affecting education in 2024, with substantial numbers of children missing school during oppressive heat conditions.
According to UNICEF, approximately 242 million children in 85 nations experienced interruptions to their education last year due to extreme weather events like heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. This figure represents about one in seven school-age children globally who faced educational disruptions in 2024 due to climate-related hazards. The report highlights the impact on schools, particularly in low-income countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, which were severely affected by weather conditions.
Regions beyond Africa and Asia also confronted significant weather challenges. For instance, torrential rains and floods in Southern Europe at the end of the year led to school closures affecting over 900,000 children in Italy and numerous students in Spain. Despite this, heatwaves emerged as the leading climate threat resulting in school closures, coinciding with the record-setting warmest year globally.
In April alone, over 118 million children missed school amidst substantial heatwaves across the Middle East and Asia, where temperatures climbed above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell stated the specific vulnerabilities of children to extreme weather, underscoring their physical responses differ significantly from adults, impacting their ability to learn and attend school when conditions are extreme.
The majority of affected children, approximately 74%, were from middle- and low-income countries, highlighting the profound effects of climate change on poorer nations. Severe flooding in Pakistan resulted in over 400 school closures, while Afghanistan faced heatwaves followed by flooding that destroyed over 110 schools in May. Ongoing drought conditions in southern Africa, intensified by the El Niño phenomenon, also threaten educational opportunities for millions.
The string of crises appears far from resolution; Cyclone Chido decimated infrastructure in Mayotte and Mozambique, contributing to extensive school closures. UNICEF’s report indicated that the current educational systems are generally ill-equipped to manage the effects of such extreme weather, necessitating urgent attention and support for affected regions and populations.
The impact of climate change on education, particularly for vulnerable populations, is gaining increasing attention from global organizations like UNICEF. Schools in many regions are being battered by extreme weather events, disrupting children’s education and affecting their futures. The heavy toll of climate phenomena such as heatwaves, floods, and cyclones disproportionately falls on children, especially in lower-income countries that are less capable of withstanding such shocks.
UNICEF’s alarming report reveals that nearly 250 million children faced educational disruptions last year due to climate-induced extremes, marking a critical challenge for global education systems. With a substantial proportion of affected youth in lower-income countries, the findings underscore the urgent need for improved infrastructure and support to mitigate the impacts of climate change on education. Without decisive action, the educational futures of millions remain jeopardized.
Original Source: www.wral.com
