UNICEF: Nearly Half of the World’s Children Face Three Climate Threats Simultaneously

June 16, 2026 Climate and environment

According to research, almost every child on the planet encounters at least one climatic threat, and more than four million children live in conditions of six interrelated climatic risks. The most common combination is drought, extreme heat, and heat waves.

The report presents the latest data on the impact of the eight most widespread climate threats: coastal and river flooding, drought, extreme heat, forest fires, heat waves, sand and dust storms, as well as tropical storms.

Several threats simultaneously

According to UNICEF data, more than 296 million children live in areas where drought, extreme heat, and heat waves occur simultaneously. More than 115 million children are exposed to another common combination of threats – drought, extreme heat, and tropical storms.

The situation is especially severe in sub-Saharan Africa, where more than four million children may simultaneously suffer from heat waves, extreme heat, and sandstorms. In Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan, children are exposed to a greater number of climatic threats and higher intensity than anywhere else in the world.

“Children’s lives continue to be disrupted by the impacts of heatwaves, forest fires, droughts, and floods,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Today, half of the world’s children live in conditions crossing at least three intersecting climate threats that affect their daily lives.”

Rich countries also face risks

The UN emphasizes that climate shocks affect not only developing countries. For example, in Italy, more than six million children live under the threat of prolonged heatwaves and droughts. At the same time, the country’s experience shows that investments in climate change adaptation can reduce risks for children.

In addition to climate threats, the authors of the report analyzed the impact of air pollution and malaria — factors dependent on climatic processes. According to the study data, air pollution affects almost all children worldwide, and about one billion children live in malaria risk zones.

Most vulnerable children

The report notes that the consequences of climate shocks depend not only on natural factors but also on access to basic services — healthcare, education, clean water, and social protection.

Thus, children in unstable countries without access to the sea, for example in the Central African Republic and Chad, simultaneously face climatic threats and lack vital services, which significantly complicates their ability to cope with the consequences of crises.

Especially vulnerable remain small island developing states. In 24 such countries – from Haiti to Vanuatu – all children are exposed to the risk of tropical storms, which can also disrupt the operation of essential services throughout the islands’ territories.

Call to action

UNICEF warns that without urgent reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, climate threats will become increasingly frequent and destructive, intensifying pressure on government systems and jeopardizing children’s well-being.

The organization calls on governments, businesses, and the international community to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels, invest in adaptation to climate change, strengthen the resilience of health, education, water supply, and social protection systems, and also to actively involve children and youth in climate policy decision-making.

“When we strengthen health and education systems and develop infrastructure taking into account the interests of children, we protect them from today’s climate threats and ensure their future,” emphasized Rassel.