Soaring summer temperatures in Europe and Central Asia are resulting in the deaths of nearly 400 children each year, according to a new analysis by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The report, released on Wednesday, highlights the grim impact of climate change on young lives across the region.
UNICEF’s analysis, based on the latest available data from 23 countries, revealed that 377 children died in 2021 due to heat-related illnesses. Alarmingly, half of these children were in their first year of life.
“Around half of children across Europe and Central Asia – or 92 million children – are already exposed to frequent heatwaves in a region where temperatures are rising at the fastest rate globally,” stated Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF report Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia.
Regina De Dominicis warned that the high temperatures pose significant health risks to children, which can become life-threatening without proper care. Heat exposure, she explained, can have severe effects even before a child is born, potentially leading to pre-term births, low birth weight, stillbirth, and congenital anomalies. In infants and young children, heat stress can lead directly to death, hinder growth, and increase susceptibility to various pediatric diseases.
Moreover, UNICEF reported that extreme heat in the region resulted in the loss of over 32,000 years of healthy life among children and teenagers.
The year 2024 has already seen record high temperatures, with June registering as the hottest month on record globally, marking the thirteenth consecutive month of record-setting heat.
In response, UNICEF is urging governments in Europe and Central Asia to implement comprehensive “heat health action plans” and bolster primary healthcare to address heat-related illnesses among children. The agency also advocates for the investment in heat alert systems, measures to reduce temperatures in educational facilities, and ensuring safe access to drinking water. Additionally, they recommend equipping buildings to minimize heat exposure and developing strategies to mitigate the overall impact of heatwaves, particularly on children.
UNICEF is actively collaborating with governments and communities across the region to enhance resilience against heatwaves. This includes providing education to teachers, families, and community health workers on how to combat heat stress effectively.