How rising temperatures in South Asia are putting children’s lives at risk

UNICEF ROSA

@UNICEF/UNI579519/
 

05 June 2024

South Asia is currently experiencing an extreme heat wave, with temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius in some parts of the region. 

 

As a climate hotspot, children in South Asia, particularly those from marginalized communities and especially girls, are the most affected by the rising temperatures.

 

Three out of four children in South Asia are already exposed to extremely high temperatures, as opposed to one in three globally. Additionally, 28 per cent of children in South Asia are exposed to 4.5 or more heatwaves annually, compared to 24 per cent globally. 

 

With even hotter days predicted, the risks faced by children will continue to escalate.

 

Here's how rising temperatures are affecting children in South Asia: 

 

Most children, especially newborns, struggle to expel excess heat from their bodies. This can lead to dehydration, fatigue, higher body temperatures, rapid heartbeats, cramps, severe headaches, confusion, and loss of consciousness. In extreme cases, it can result in strokes, coma, and even death, especially among newborns. 

 

Heatwaves can also lead to an increase in vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue. Rising temperatures create the ideal conditions for disease-carrying mosquitoes to multiply rapidly and spread to new areas. 

 

Excessive heat and dehydration during pregnancy can also increase the likelihood of low birth weight and early birth. In Bangladesh, a study found that women delivering on hot days were 14 per cent more likely to have newborns with neonatal illness compared to those delivering on cooler days. 

 

One in three children in South Asia are stunted. Most families struggle to provide nutritious food for their children despite spending most of their income on food. 

 

Droughts and prolonged dry periods due to heatwaves could further disrupt food production, leading to a drop in harvests and causing food prices to rise even more.

 

Excessive heat also reduces the nutritional content of cereal grains and lowers livestock productivity (eggs, milk, meat etc.), further impacting food availability and cost. 

 

Many schools in impoverished communities are not equipped to handle high temperatures. Hot classrooms fail to provide a conducive environment for children to learn comfortably. This year alone, the scorching heat led to the closure of schools and universities in Bangladesh, Nepal and India. 

 

Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can disrupt a child’s brain development, causing difficulties in concentration, learning, and memory. 

 

Many children, especially girls, frequently miss school to travel long distances to fetch water. All these factors combined are further depriving marginalized children of learning opportunities, exacerbating inequalities. 

 

Access to clean water remains a significant problem in many parts of South Asia and has a compounding effect on children’s health, learning, nutrition, and safety. 

 

Prolonged high temperatures may cause water reservoirs to dry up, leaving families without clean water for household use. 

 

The lack of clean water can also lead to an increase in waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea. 

 

The shortage of water in schools often forces girls to drop out, and many of them never return. 

 

In addition to health risks, soaring temperatures can expose children to various dangers.

 

Children are forced to travel further, sometimes in unsafe conditions, to fetch water. 

 

Families displaced from their homes due to water scarcity end up living in shelters, making many children vulnerable to child labour and trafficking. 

 

Some even end up being married off early by parents or caregivers to reduce financial burden. 

 

Unfortunately, girls often bear the brunt of violence and exploitation, including the risk of human trafficking, early child marriage, and labour exploitation, linked to elevated stress.  

 

As parents and caregivers, we need to ensure that our loved ones are protected from the scorching heat. If you have any concerns or questions, please speak to your local health worker. 

Source: Beat the heat | UNICEF South Asia