According to a recent UNICEF analysis, nearly half a billion children globally now live in areas experiencing at least twice as many extremely hot days annually—defined as over 35°C—as compared to six decades ago. The report highlights that 466 million children, or one in five globally, are significantly impacted, with those in West and Central Africa facing the highest exposure. Countries like Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Sudan are particularly affected, with 39% of the children in the region enduring extreme heat for more than half the year. David Knaute, a UNICEF official, explained that children are more susceptible to extreme heat than adults, and the lack of climate-resilient infrastructure exacerbates the risks they face. He stated that the temperature rise will lead to increased health risks, including heat stress, malnutrition, and vulnerability to infectious diseases like malaria and dengue fever. UNICEF urges immediate climate action to protect children.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
UNICEF Report: Rising Extreme Heat Endangers 466 Million Children Worldwide
