The UN reported that over 420,000 children in the Amazon are severely affected by record drought conditions, leading to water scarcity and increased food insecurity. This crisis predominantly impacts communities in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. UNICEF calls on leaders at COP29 to significantly increase climate financing for children to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. Access to schools and healthcare is severely compromised, necessitating urgent international support.
The United Nations has reported that over 420,000 children in the Amazon basin are experiencing extreme water scarcity due to an unprecedented drought affecting Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. This drought, which has persisted since last year, poses a profound threat to Indigenous communities dependent on waterways for access to essential resources. UNICEF is urging leaders convening at the upcoming COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, to enhance climate financing aimed at protecting children. UNICEF’s Executive Director, Catherine Russell, highlighted the dire consequences of the drought, noting that many children lack sufficient food, potable water, healthcare, and education. The prolonged dry conditions have precipitated food insecurity, raising the likelihood of malnutrition among vulnerable children while simultaneously increasing exposure to infectious diseases due to inadequate drinking water. The closure of over 1,700 schools and 760 medical clinics in Brazil’s Amazon region exemplifies the crisis’s severity, with similar disruptions reported in Colombia and Peru. Amid these pressing challenges, UNICEF has appealed for $10 million to aid affected communities, focusing on providing water and healthcare services. The drought has been attributed to the ongoing El Niño climate phenomenon, affecting rainfall distribution across the Amazon basin, leading to diminished river levels and heightened risks of forest fires, crop failure, and hydroelectric power generation disruptions. Despite these unsettling environmental conditions, Brazilian officials remain hopeful, with Environment Minister Marina Silva asserting that governments have the potential to address climate change effectively. Notably, she referenced recent reports of a 30 percent decline in deforestation rates in Brazil’s Amazon, while Colombia has also experienced a significant decrease in deforestation, reflecting positive environmental enforcement efforts.
The Amazon basin is currently enduring a historically severe drought, which has aggravated water shortages and directly impacted its youngest inhabitants. As the drought continues to persist, it threatens the livelihoods and well-being of numerous communities, especially Indigenous groups that rely on river trade for essential services. Climate experts attribute this phenomenon to the 2023-2024 El Niño, which is causing variability in rainfall patterns across South America. The ongoing challenges underscore the urgency for increased global climate financing and effective policies to safeguard vulnerable populations and ecosystems.
In conclusion, the alarming effects of the drought in the Amazon basin necessitate immediate international attention and support. With over 420,000 children affected and the closure of numerous schools and healthcare facilities, the situation calls for increased climate financing and proactive measures to enhance the resilience of affected communities. The findings highlight the critical intersection of climate change and child welfare, further emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts at the forthcoming COP29 summit to address these pressing challenges.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
