Half of world’s children exposed to at least three climate hazards, Unicef says

Almost every child, including those from high-income countries, is now exposed to at least one hazard

Half of the world’s children are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards threatening their health, education and survival, according to a Unicef report.

Globally, children face increasing threats from heatwaves, storms, floods and droughts as the climate crisis worsens, with more than one billion facing at least three of these at once.

Striking footage released by the UN agency shows children in Papua New Guinea swimming across a crocodile-filled river to get to school after a vital footbridge washed away during heavy rains and was not replaced.

Lorna, 15, is one of those who has to swim across the Kemp Welch river in Launkalana, in the Rigo district of Papua New Guinea, to get to school. The community owns a few small boats, according to Unicef staff who visited, but the youngest children are prioritised.

“During our periods, our elders do not allow us to cross the river to attend our classes as they think it will attract crocodiles … My dream is to become a teacher or pilot. We want a new bridge so we can go to school safely every day,” Lorna said.

According to Unicef, the community has been unable to raise funds to replace the bridge, which washed away in 2012, and is faced with increasing challenges further exacerbated by the climate crisis.

Lorna’s headteacher, Charlie Vali David, said the loss of the bridge was taking a huge toll on the community.