27 Million Children Faced Hunger by Extreme Weather in 2022

27 Million Children Faced Hunger by Extreme Weather in 2022

According to a report published by Save the Children, a UK-based organization, more than 27 million children suffered from hunger in 2022 due to harsh weather conditions in countries most vulnerable to climate change.

This figure represents a significant 135% increase compared to 2021.

The organization highlighted that children comprised about half of the 57 million people who found themselves in acute food insecurity.

The situation has reached crisis levels or worse in 12 countries, primarily due to extreme weather conditions in 2022.

Notably, countries in the Horn of Africa were among the most affected, with nearly half of the 27 million children facing hunger residing in Ethiopia and Somalia.

Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children, stated, "With climate-related weather events becoming more frequent and intense, we will see more significant impacts on children's lives."

She urged leaders participating in COP28 to take effective action to resolve the climate crisis by recognizing children as key agents of change and addressing other causes of food insecurity, such as conflicts and weak health systems.

The organization particularly focused on the situation in Somalia, one of the countries most susceptible to the impacts of climate change, trapped in a cycle of droughts and floods.

The recent seasonal rains and floods in several parts of the country have displaced about 650,000 people, most of whom are children.

Save the Children also pointed out that in Pakistan, two million people are still suffering from acute malnutrition following last year's floods that submerged a third of the country.

The organization estimates that 774 million children worldwide, equivalent to a third of the global child population, face the dual challenges of poverty and significant climate risks.

A report released last week mentioned that more than 17.6 million children are expected to be born into hunger this year, a 20% increase compared to a decade ago.