News Center- As a prolonged heatwave and drought grip several countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, UNICEF is sounding the alarm on the dire situation faced by vulnerable communities who are bearing the brunt of climate change. In the region, 45 million children are living through multiple and often overlapping crises intensified by climate change, including cholera outbreaks, malnutrition, drought and floods, UNICEF said on Monday.

 “The climate crisis is a real threat to children and communities in Eastern and Southern Africa. The very elements that children need to survive and thrive, including clean water, food, shelter, learning and safety, are being impacted by climate shocks. School closures disrupt education gains that were made,” said Eva Kadilli, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa. “Communities who depend on agriculture face crop loss, resulting in children becoming malnourished or being forced to work to support income generation. Challenges in accessing clean water expose children to disease, affect livelihoods and cause forced displacement.”

According to UNICEF, the 2023-24 El Niño phenomenon, one of the strongest on record, is exacerbating already challenging conditions in the region. “El Niño has escalated regional climate patterns, causing dry conditions and erratic rainfall, subsequently affecting crop production, and worsening disease outbreaks,” UNICEF said.

Mentioning the impact of El Niño, UNICEF said, “Late last year, heavy rains and flooding battered parts of the Eastern African region, including Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. These floods led to loss of lives, disrupted livelihoods, and displaced communities, with more than 5.2 million people affected.”

“Distressingly, extreme weather is expected to be the norm in Eastern and Southern Africa in the years to come. As we work to improve the resilience of children, families and communities by strengthening shock responsive social services, we must also come together to reduce the effects of climate change on vulnerable populations in the region,” Eva Kadilli said. “We continue our call to partners to prioritize investment in climate adaptation and mitigation, as well as in systems capable of withstanding the intensifying shocks brought on by climate change. Without sustainable responses, the future of children hangs in the balance. We need to take decisive action NOW to ensure that they not only survive but thrive in the challenging years ahead.”