A new Unicef report, titled ‘The Climate Changed Child,’ reveals alarming statistics, indicating that one in three children, equivalent to 739 million globally, live in areas grappling with high or very high water scarcity. The Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia regions bear the greatest burden, with children residing in areas marked by limited water resources and high variability, groundwater decline, or drought risk.
Shockingly, 436 million children face extreme water vulnerability, enduring both high water scarcity and low drinking water service levels, posing severe threats to their health and well-being. Low- and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia are the most affected. Countries like Niger, Jordan, Burkina Faso, Yemen, Chad, and Namibia see eight out of 10 children exposed to such challenges.
Unicef’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, emphasizes the devastating impact of climate change on children, affecting their mental and physical health. The report, released ahead of the COP28 climate change summit, underscores the urgent need for global action to address the multifaceted challenges faced by vulnerable children.