Rising Heatwaves Across Europe and Central Asia Result in 377 Child Deaths in 2021

The report details that heat exposure has severe consequences for children, including pre-term births, low birth weight, stillbirth, congenital anomalies, and various pediatric diseases.

A new UNICEF analysis reveals that rising temperatures in Europe and Central Asia led to the deaths of an estimated 377 children in 2021. The report, titled Beat the Heat: Child Health Amid Heatwaves in Europe and Central Asia, highlights that half of these fatalities occurred in infants during their first year of life, with most deaths occurring in the summer months.

Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, emphasized the severity of the situation: “Around half of children across Europe and Central Asia – or 92 million children – are already exposed to frequent heatwaves in a region where temperatures are rising at the fastest rate globally. The increasingly high temperatures can have serious health complications for children, especially the youngest children, even in a short space of time. Without care, these complications can be life-threatening.”

The report details that heat exposure has severe consequences for children, including pre-term births, low birth weight, stillbirth, congenital anomalies, and various pediatric diseases. In addition, extreme heat resulted in over 32,000 years of healthy life lost among children and teenagers in the region.

In response to these alarming findings, UNICEF urges governments across Europe and Central Asia to:

Integrate Strategies: Include measures to mitigate heatwave impacts in National Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and disaster risk reduction policies, with a focus on child welfare.

Invest in Health: Develop heat health action plans and enhance primary health care to address heat-related illnesses in children.

Implement Early Warning Systems: Establish and expand heat alert systems.

Adapt Education Facilities: Modify schools to manage indoor temperatures and train teachers to handle heat stress.

Enhance Urban Design: Ensure buildings, particularly those housing vulnerable communities, are designed to minimize heat exposure.

Secure Water Supply: Ensure access to safe water, especially in regions with worsening water quality.

UNICEF continues to collaborate with governments, partners, and communities to build resilience against heatwaves, equipping teachers, health workers, and families with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage heat stress effectively.