Amazon Drought Leaves Over 420,000 Children in Need of Urgent Aid
A record-breaking drought gripping the Amazon basin has left over 420,000 children in Brazil, Colombia, and Peru facing “dangerous levels” of water scarcity, Al Jazeera reports, citing the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The crisis has forced closures of schools and medical facilities, increasing risks of malnutrition and disease among children.
The drought, ongoing since last year, has been attributed to the 2023-2024 El Niño climate phenomenon, which has caused insufficient rainfall and shrinking rivers in the Amazon rainforest. This has exacerbated forest fires, disrupted hydropower generation, and dried out crops across the region, impacting millions.
“We are witnessing the devastation of an essential ecosystem that families rely on, leaving many children without access to adequate food, water, health care and schools,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “We must mitigate the effects of extreme climate crises to protect children today and future generations. The health of the Amazon affects the health of us all.”
UNICEF is calling for “a dramatic increase” in climate financing to help children impacted by the crisis. The agency has also requested $10 million in funding to provide water and healthcare to affected communities in the coming months.
In Brazil’s Amazon region, over 1,700 schools and 760 medical clinics have been forced to close or become inaccessible due to low river levels. In Colombia, lack of drinking water and food has led to the suspension of classes in 130 schools, while over 50 clinics in Peru have become inaccessible.
Despite the alarming situation, there are signs of progress. Brazil’s Environment Minister Marina Silva has expressed optimism about the ability of governments to “confront climate change,” citing a 30% decrease in deforestation in the Amazon during the 12 months ending in July. Colombia also reported a historic 36% decrease in deforestation in 2023.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has pledged to strengthen environmental enforcement in Brazil, aiming to reverse the alarming deforestation rates seen under his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.
The Amazon crisis serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global action on climate change to protect vulnerable communities and the future of the planet.
