As scorching heatwaves sweep across East Asia and the Pacific, the United Nations has sounded the alarm, warning that millions of children are at risk of heat-related illnesses and even death. With temperatures soaring to record highs and climate extremes becoming more frequent, urgent action is needed to safeguard vulnerable populations from the sweltering conditions.
According to data from the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) , over 243 million children in the Pacific and East Asia regions are facing the brunt of these heatwaves. The scorching temperatures, exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in many areas, pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of these children.
In response to the soaring temperatures, some countries in the region have taken preventive measures. In the Philippines, certain schools have suspended in-person classes as temperatures approach dangerous levels of 42 to 43 degrees Celsius. Similarly, Thailand has recorded temperatures as high as 43.5 degrees Celsius, leading to approximately 40 heat-related deaths annually. Even Vietnam, typically cooler in February, experienced an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat as they struggle to regulate their body temperature effectively. High humidity levels exacerbate the situation by hindering the body’s natural cooling mechanisms, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Debora Comini, Director of Unicef’s Regional Office for East Asia and the Pacific, emphasized the urgent need for action to protect children and vulnerable communities from the worsening heatwaves and other climate-related shocks. The UN projects that over two billion children could be exposed to heatwaves by 2050 if decisive measures are not taken.
As the world grapples with the escalating climate crisis, it is imperative for governments, communities, and international organizations to prioritize the protection of children and vulnerable populations. This includes implementing measures to mitigate the impact of heatwaves, ensuring access to cool shelters and adequate healthcare, and accelerating efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to curb the severity of climate extremes in the future.
In the face of this mounting threat, concerted global action is essential to safeguard the health and well-being of millions of children who are on the front lines of the climate crisis.
