Indian children among most exposed to extreme heat, drought and multiple climate hazards: UNICEF Report

📌 Summary:

• UNICEF's Children's Climate Risk Report 2026 finds Indian children (under 18) among the most exposed and vulnerable to extreme heat and drought
• Around 55% of children in India are exposed to at least 3 of 8 climate hazards considered — riverine floods, coastal floods, agricultural and meteorological drought, tropical storms, heatwaves, extreme heat, and sand & dust storms
• Globally, of roughly 2.4 billion children, about 2 billion (83.3%) are exposed to at least 2 hazards, and 1.1 billion (46%) to at least 3 hazards
• The report also stresses exposure to climate-sensitive factors such as vector-borne diseases (malaria) and air pollution

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Environment — climate-change impacts on vulnerable groups; climate-health intersection

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Report: Children's Climate Risk Report 2026 by UNICEF
• 8-hazard framework; ~55% of Indian children exposed to ≥3 hazards
• Global: 46% of children exposed to ≥3 hazards

🔑 Key Term: UNICEF — United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund