Nearly half of the world’s children, around 1.1 billion, are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, according to a new UNICEF report published Tuesday.
The report, titled *Climate Risks for Children 2026*, highlights the growing scale of children climate risks as extreme weather events intensify worldwide.
Extreme Heat and Drought Among Top Threats
UNICEF identified drought, extreme heat exceeding 35°C, and heatwaves as the most common climate-related threats facing children.
The agency noted that nearly all children globally are exposed to at least one climate hazard, while hundreds of millions face multiple risks simultaneously.
According to the report:
– 300 million children live in areas affected by drought, extreme heat, and heatwaves at the same time.
– Over 115 million children face a combination of drought, extreme heat, and tropical cyclones.
Why Children Are More Vulnerable
UNICEF emphasized that children are biologically more vulnerable to climate impacts than adults.
Their bodies heat up faster, they sweat less efficiently, and they breathe more rapidly. They also require more food and water relative to their body weight.
The report added that children have lower survival rates during extreme weather events, further increasing their exposure to climate-related health risks.
Sahel and South Asia Among Hardest Hit
The Sahel region in Africa is among the most severely affected areas, with more than 4 million children exposed simultaneously to extreme heat, heatwaves, and sand and dust storms.
In Asia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan are identified as particularly vulnerable due to recurring floods, cyclones, and prolonged heatwaves.
The report assessed children’s exposure to eight major climate hazards, including:
– Drought
– Extreme heat
– Heatwaves
– Wildfires
– Coastal floods
– River floods
– Sand and dust storms
– Tropical cyclones
Call for Stronger Climate Planning
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated that the climate risk mapping included in the report identifies where risks occur and how severe they are.
She said this information can help governments and decision-makers improve planning and invest more effectively in essential services such as healthcare, water systems, and child protection.
UNICEF stressed that rapid detection, improved infrastructure, and community engagement are essential to protecting children from worsening climate impacts.
Conclusion:
The UNICEF report underscores the urgent reality of children climate risks, with 1.1 billion children facing overlapping environmental threats.
As climate-related hazards intensify, the report calls for immediate global action to strengthen resilience, improve services, and protect vulnerable populations, particularly children.
