UNICEF raises concern about impact of climate change on children

UNITED NATIONS -- The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Friday raised alarm over the impact of extreme weather events on the lives of children.

Such disasters should be an urgent wake-up call to world leaders, UNICEF said in a press release.

"We are witnessing a worrisome trend," said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF's executive director. "Cyclones, droughts and other extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity. As we have seen in Mozambique and elsewhere, poorer countries and communities are disproportionately affected. For children who are already vulnerable, the impact can be devastating."

More than 120,000 children were affected by Cyclone Kenneth, the strongest storm Mozambique has ever recorded. At least 400 schools were damaged or destroyed, affecting over 40,000 schoolchildren. A cholera outbreak has been declared in the affected area of Cabo Delgado, said UNICEF.

The April 25 cyclone came just six weeks after Cyclone Idai pummeled the country, affecting 1 million children. Nearly two months on, close to 25,000 people continue to live in shelters, said the fund.

In Odisha, India, 28 million people, including 10 million children, are in the path of Cyclone Fani. Some 1 million people have already been evacuated in preparation for what has been described as India's strongest cyclone in more than 20 years, it said.