UNICEF reported that nearly 250 million children missed school last year due to extreme weather, with 242 million affected in 85 countries. Climate hazards included heatwaves, floods, and cyclones, primarily impacting low-income nations in Asia and Africa. Educational infrastructure is largely unprepared for such challenges, exacerbating the crisis for students around the globe.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that approximately 242 million children in 85 nations experienced disruptions to their education last year due to extreme weather conditions. This situation reflects a staggering one in seven students globally facing interruptions caused by climate-related events, such as heatwaves, cyclones, and flooding. Particularly affected were low-income countries in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, although regions such as Italy and Spain also faced significant disruptions.
The impact of extreme weather on educational systems is an urgent global concern, particularly as climate change leads to more frequent and severe weather events. Children, who are particularly vulnerable to temperature variations and natural disasters, are disproportionately affected. Educational infrastructure in low-income countries often lacks resilience against environmental impacts, placing millions of children’s futures at risk as they are unable to attend school during critical learning years.
In summary, extreme weather significantly disrupts education for millions of children worldwide, with UNICEF highlighting a pressing need for improved resilience in educational systems. The organization calls for global recognition of the vulnerability of children to climate adversities and emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive strategies to protect education in the face of ongoing climate challenges.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
