About 35 million children are currently residing in Atlantic hurricane-exposed regions, facing potentially devastating impacts during what experts predict could be the most active hurricane season on record.
An analysis by Save the Children reveals that out of 126 million people living in hurricane-prone areas spanning the U.S., Latin America, the Caribbean, and eastern Canada, nearly three in 10 are children, highlighting their heightened vulnerability.
TROPICAL STORM ALBERTO AND IMMEDIATE THREATS
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season kicked off with Tropical Storm Alberto, expected to make landfall in northern Mexico, posing risks to over 430,000 individuals, including 100,000 children, through strong winds and heavy rainfall.
RECORD-BREAKING SEASON PREDICTIONS
Colorado State University predicts an unprecedented 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes (Category 3-5) for this season. This forecast, supported by the National Hurricane Center, signifies a 170% increase from the average season during 1991–2020.
CLIMATE CHANGE AMPLIFIES RISKS
Human-induced climate change, coupled with La Niña conditions and reduced Atlantic trade winds, has escalated sea surface temperatures, fostering more intense storms that threaten coastal communities.
HAITI’S VULNERABILITY AND PAST DEVASTATION
Children in Haiti face acute risks, exacerbated by armed conflict and displacement of over 578,000 people in 2024 alone. Previous hurricanes, like Hurricane Matthew in 2016, left thousands homeless and claimed hundreds of lives, underscoring the country’s vulnerability to severe weather events.
HUMANITARIAN IMPERATIVES AND CLIMATE ACTION
Save the Children’s Moa Cortobius emphasizes the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Haiti and other vulnerable regions ahead of potential major hurricanes. The organization’s efforts, including the Allo Lekòl project in South and Grand-Anse, focus on community resilience and children’s advocacy for climate adaptation.
URGENT CALL FOR CLIMATE ACTION
The climate crisis intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, jeopardizing children’s safety, health, and education worldwide. Save the Children urges ambitious global action to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels to safeguard children’s futures.
EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES AND CHILDREN
Through projects like Allo Lekòl, Save the Children empowers communities to prepare for disasters and adapt to climate challenges, ensuring children’s voices are heard in environmental advocacy and resilience-building efforts.
PROTECTING CHILDREN AMIDST CLIMATE CRISIS
As the 2024 hurricane season unfolds, safeguarding children in hurricane prone areas remains a critical global priority. Immediate action and sustainable climate policies are essential to mitigate risks and protect the rights and lives of vulnerable children worldwide.
