New York : The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that over 420,000 children across three countries in the Amazon region are currently impacted by severe water scarcity and drought conditions.
According to UNICEF, the ongoing drought, which has persisted since last year and brought Amazon basin rivers to record lows, is significantly affecting riverside and indigenous children and communities in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru.
The report noted that in Brazil’s Amazon region alone, more than 1,700 schools and over 760 health centres have closed or become inaccessible due to low water levels. In Colombia, river water levels have dropped by as much as 80%, restricting access to drinking water and food supplies and leading to the closure of over 130 schools.
Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, highlighted the devastation of this vital ecosystem, which has left many children without sufficient access to food, water, healthcare, and education. She emphasised the need to mitigate the impact of severe climate crises to protect children today and for future generations.
Experts link these conditions to the El Niño weather phenomenon and climate change.
