UNICEF revealed that nearly 250 million children missed school last year due to extreme weather, with 74% in low- and middle-income countries. Heatwaves, floods, and cyclones caused significant disruptions, particularly in Asia and Africa. The report calls attention to the urgent need for educational systems to adapt to these climate-related challenges.
UNICEF reported that nearly 250 million children were unable to attend school last year due to extreme weather events, which translated to one in every seven school-aged children worldwide experiencing class disruption. The interruption in education affected at least 242 million children across 85 countries owing to climate-related disasters such as heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. The report highlighted severe impacts in regions like Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where numerous schools were destroyed.
Countries around the globe faced significant weather challenges, with Italy experiencing heavy rains and floods leading to disruptions affecting over 900,000 children and catastrophic flooding in Spain halting classes for many others. While southern Europe suffered flooding, heatwaves emerged as the primary climate threat causing school closures last year, particularly with record-breaking temperatures globally. In April alone, over 118 million students faced disruptions as extreme heat impacted vast areas from Gaza to the Philippines.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the vulnerability of children to weather-related crises, noting their unique physical attributes that make them more susceptible to extreme heat and other climate threats. The report indicated that 74% of affected children resided in middle- and low-income nations, illustrating the severe repercussions of climatic extremes on the impoverished. Countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan reported significant educational disruptions due to flooding and heatwaves destroying numerous schools.
The ongoing crises were exacerbated by the El Niño phenomenon affecting southern Africa, threatening education and futures for many children. In December, Cyclone Chido devastated Mayotte, disrupting schooling for weeks, while more than 330 schools were reported destroyed in Mozambique. UNICEF underscored that educational institutions worldwide remain largely unprepared to manage the impacts of extreme weather.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a report detailing the education disruptions that climate hazards caused for millions of children in 2023. With increasing frequency and severity, extreme weather events such as heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding are impacting schooling, particularly in vulnerable low- and middle-income countries. More than 240 million children were unable to attend school due to these events last year, highlighting a significant global crisis affecting education systems.
In conclusion, nearly 250 million children have faced educational disruptions due to extreme weather, with UNICEF detailing the severe impacts on vulnerable populations in middle- and low-income countries. The report underscores an urgent need for schools and educational frameworks to adapt to the increasing challenges posed by climate change, as well as the unique vulnerabilities of children in these crises.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
