“Approximately one billion children, nearly half the world’s 2.2 billion children – live in one of the 33 countries classified as ‘extremely high-risk’,” UNICEF said. The risk factors considered in the study included flooding, cyclones, heatwaves, water scarcity, air pollution, lead pollution, and infectious diseases.

“Climate and environmental shocks are undermining the complete spectrum of children’s rights, from access to clean air, food, and safe water; to education, housing, freedom from exploitation, and even their right to survive. Virtually no child’s life will be unaffected,” UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said.