UNICEF revealed that 377 children died in 2021 based on data from 23 countries in the vast region.
Heat-related illnesses claimed the lives of half of these vulnerable young people in the first year of their lives.
“About half of children in Europe and Central Asia – or 92 million children – are already exposed to frequent heat waves in a region where temperatures are rising fastest globally,” said Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF said the regional director for Europe and Central Asia.
She warned that rising temperatures could seriously complicate a child’s health, even in a short period of time.
“Without care, these complications can be life-threatening,” she said.
Exposure to heat
According to UNICEF, heat exposure can have acute effects on a child even before birth, leading to premature births, low birth weight, stillbirth and congenital abnormalities.
The agency also noted that heat stress can lead directly to death, affect infant growth and be a gateway to childhood illnesses.
UNICEF further said that “extreme heat has led to the loss of more than 32,000 healthy life years among children and teenagers in the region.”
Recommendations
2024 has seen record high temperatures, with these June records as the warmest ever recorded on EarthIt was the thirteenth record month in a row.
UNICEF calls on governments in Europe and Central Asia to Invest in ‘heat health action plans’ and primary health care to better support heat-related illnesses in children.”
The child protection agency is also calling on governments to invest more in heat warning systems, ensure that educational institutions lower temperatures in areas where children play and provide safe drinking water supplies.
Other measures include equipping buildings to minimise exposure and developing strategies to reduce the impact of heatwaves in general and on children in particular.
UNICEF says it is working with governments and communities across Europe and Central Asia to “build resilience to heatwaves” by equipping teachers, families and community health workers with the knowledge and skills to combat heat stress.
