A new UNICEF report said that nearly half of the world’s children – or 1.1 billion – are now exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards, threatening their health, education, and survival.

“Drought, extreme heat, and heatwaves are the most widespread combination of climate hazards, with over 296 million children living in areas exposed to all three conditions, according to the findings,” said UNICEF in The Children’s Climate Risk Report 2026.

The second most common combination – drought, extreme heat, and tropical storms –leaves more than 115 million children worldwide exposed to these overlapping threats.

Countries in South Asia are the most exposed, said the New York-based institution.

“In the Sahel region of Africa, one of the hardest hit, more than 4 million children face the triple threat of heatwaves, extreme heat, and sand and dust storms, while in countries across Asia, for example, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Pakistan, children are exposed to more climate hazards at once and at a higher intensity than anywhere else in the world”.

High-income countries are not immune to overlapping climate shocks, and some children are exposed there, too. 

“In Italy, more than 6 million children are exposed to prolonged heatwaves and drought, the data shows”.

The report warns that without mitigation policies and action, climate hazards will grow more frequent and severe, “placing even greater strain on government budgets and systems, threatening children's well-being.”

UNICEF advocates for climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and responses to loss and damage that prioritise the resilience of social services.