In recent years, Morocco has experienced an excessive rise in temperatures due to climate fluctuations and reduced rainfall. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has released data that raises alarms.
The report highlights the impact of high temperatures on various countries, including Morocco, where the increasing number of hot days and extreme heatwaves is a major concern.
UNICEF’s analysis indicates that around 466 million children live in areas where temperatures regularly exceed 35 degrees Celsius, accounting for one-fifth of the world’s children affected by this issue.
The analysis also reveals a worrying trend regarding the impact of climate change on Moroccan children: approximately 59% of them live in areas that have seen a 50% increase in the number of extremely hot days between 2020 and 2024 compared to the average of the 1960s.
Additionally, the study shows that around 92% of Moroccan children reside in regions where significant temperature increases have been observed, particularly in mountainous areas where the average annual number of heatwaves has risen by 50% over the past four years compared to the 1960s.
About 73% of these children, who are especially vulnerable to high temperatures, live in regions of Morocco where the annual number of heatwaves has doubled compared to the average recorded six decades ago.
Morocco experienced two consecutive heatwaves last July, with temperatures reaching 44 degrees Celsius in most regions of the country. The first wave occurred between July 9 and 16, followed by a second wave between July 22 and 25, during which temperatures exceeded 48 degrees in several regions.
Doctors are warning that the extreme heatwaves now occurring in Morocco pose a significant threat to children and can severely impact their health, leading to various illnesses. It is essential for families to take precautionary measures from the beginning of spring, not just in summer, to protect their children from potential health issues.
