Publish: 18:42, 24 Apr, 2024 Updated:

Children are at high risk amid countrywide heatwave: Unicef

Online Desk
Children are at high risk amid countrywide heatwave: Unicef

With an oppressive heatwave persisting throughout Bangladesh, UNICEF remains deeply concerned about the health and safety of children across the country due to sweltering temperatures, said UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh, Sheldon Yett in a statement on Wednesday.

According to UNICEF’s 2021 Children's Climate Risk Index (CCRI), children in Bangladesh, are at 'extremely high risk' of the impacts of climate change, Daily Sun reported.

The unusual rise in temperatures poses grave risks, particularly to newborns, infants, and young children who are considered to be an especially vulnerable population to heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke and diarrhoea caused by dehydration.

Moreover, as the Primary and Mass Education Ministry has ordered the closure of all government primary schools in the country till 27 April due to concerns about the impact of rising temperatures on children, UNICEF is urging parents to be extra vigilant in keeping their children hydrated and safe. 

The severity of this heatwave underscores the urgent need for action to protect children from the worsening impacts of climate change. With temperatures soaring to unprecedented levels, we must prioritize the well-being of children and the most vulnerable populations. 

To protect children from this heatwave, UNICEF urges frontline workers, parents, families, caregivers and local authorities to protect children and pregnant women by taking the following steps:

Prevention: Wherever children are staying, create cooler places for children to sit or play. Avoid being outdoors during the hot midday and afternoon hours. Make sure that children wear light, breathable clothes, and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

First aid: If a child or a pregnant woman shows symptoms of heat stress (eg dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea, mild fever, nosebleeds, muscle cramps, heat rashes in the diaper area), place the person in a cool, shaded area with good ventilation and apply wet towels or cool water to the body. Administer water or Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS). Severe symptoms of heat stress (such as confusion or inability to respond, fainting, high body temperature, rapid heartbeat, seizures and loss of consciousness) require urgent hospital care.

Look out for your neighbours: Vulnerable families, children with disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly face a higher risk of illness or death during heat waves. Take the time to check on your neighbours, especially those who live alone.

bd-pratidin/GR

More News
Study shows excessive sugar consumption increase depression
Study shows excessive sugar consumption increase depression
4 more die of dengue, 660 hospitalised in 24hrs
4 more die of dengue, 660 hospitalised in 24hrs
Nut consumption reduces dementia risks by 12pc: Study
Nut consumption reduces dementia risks by 12pc: Study
India make second highest T20I total against Bangladesh
India make second highest T20I total against Bangladesh
Dengue death toll surpasses 200
Dengue death toll surpasses 200
One in five Bangladeshis over 35 have presbyopia
One in five Bangladeshis over 35 have presbyopia
Bangladesh records two more dengue deaths in 24 hrs
Bangladesh records two more dengue deaths in 24 hrs
‘Integrated healthcare services must be strengthened further’
‘Integrated healthcare services must be strengthened further’
Student movement: Foreign doctors coming to treat eye-injured
Student movement: Foreign doctors coming to treat eye-injured
Five more dengue patients died, 927 hospitalised
Five more dengue patients died, 927 hospitalised
Five more dengue patients died, 1,152 hospitalised
Five more dengue patients died, 1,152 hospitalised
Seven more dengue patients died in 24 hours
Seven more dengue patients died in 24 hours
Latest News
No EVM in upcoming elections: Badiul Alam
No EVM in upcoming elections: Badiul Alam
1 second ago | National
Workers demand for National Wage Structure for all workers
Workers demand for National Wage Structure for all workers
28 minutes ago | Special
‘Wall of Humanity’ launched at Dhaka College to share warm clothes
‘Wall of Humanity’ launched at Dhaka College to share warm clothes
49 minutes ago | Shuvosangho
2024’s best smartphones: Top picks between Tk20,000-25,000
2024’s best smartphones: Top picks between Tk20,000-25,000
54 minutes ago | Corporate Corner
Kohli and Konstas provide a fiery start to the 4th Test
Kohli and Konstas provide a fiery start to the 4th Test
1 hour ago | Sports
Fakhrul urges accountability for those responsible for Secretariat fire
Fakhrul urges accountability for those responsible for Secretariat fire
1 hour ago | National
Cyber protection ordinance is an extension of DSA
Cyber protection ordinance is an extension of DSA
1 hour ago | National
Prayers, tears mark 20 years of deadliest tsunami that killed 230,000 people
Prayers, tears mark 20 years of deadliest tsunami that killed 230,000 people
1 hour ago | International
Motion to impeach South Korea’s acting president submitted
Motion to impeach South Korea’s acting president submitted
1 hour ago | International
Japan Airlines hit by cyberattack, delaying flights during the holiday season
Japan Airlines hit by cyberattack, delaying flights during the holiday season
2 hours ago | International
Insects' winter survival secrets
Insects' winter survival secrets
2 hours ago | Tech
Govt officials' wealth statement deadline extended by 1.5 months
Govt officials' wealth statement deadline extended by 1.5 months
2 hours ago | National
4 of a family killed in Mymensingh road accident
4 of a family killed in Mymensingh road accident
2 hours ago | National
Bangladesh participates in France's short film festival
Bangladesh participates in France's short film festival
2 hours ago | Entertainment
Rural communities urged to flee east Australia bushfire
Rural communities urged to flee east Australia bushfire
2 hours ago | International
Advisers not fit to be our opponents: Nazrul Islam Khan
Advisers not fit to be our opponents: Nazrul Islam Khan
2 hours ago | National
Agents of Hasina burned files of various misdeeds: Sarjis
Agents of Hasina burned files of various misdeeds: Sarjis
3 hours ago | National
Top 12 South Indian films to watch in January 2025
Top 12 South Indian films to watch in January 2025
3 hours ago | Entertainment
CHT adviser to visit Lama arson attack victims; 4 arrested
CHT adviser to visit Lama arson attack victims; 4 arrested
3 hours ago | National
Commission recommends reducing lethal weapons
Commission recommends reducing lethal weapons
3 hours ago | Special
Secretariat fire: 7-member probe body formed
Secretariat fire: 7-member probe body formed
3 hours ago | National
Over 1,500 prisoners escape in Mozambique amid unrest
Over 1,500 prisoners escape in Mozambique amid unrest
3 hours ago | International
Nutritionist shares 5 tips to naturally boost collagen quickly
Nutritionist shares 5 tips to naturally boost collagen quickly
3 hours ago | Lifestyle
Pakistan court grants ex-PM Khan's wife Bushra Bibi interim bail  in protest case
Pakistan court grants ex-PM Khan's wife Bushra Bibi interim bail in protest case
3 hours ago | International
Attack on prison in southwestern Ecuador kills 1
Attack on prison in southwestern Ecuador kills 1
3 hours ago | International
What do air purifiers help with?
What do air purifiers help with?
4 hours ago | Tech
Oil prices edge higher on hopes for more China stimulus
Oil prices edge higher on hopes for more China stimulus
4 hours ago | Business
Fire at Secretariat building fully doused after 10 hours
Fire at Secretariat building fully doused after 10 hours
4 hours ago | City
RMG workers block Chandra-Nabinagar highway
RMG workers block Chandra-Nabinagar highway
4 hours ago | National
Commission to thoroughly investigate 2009 BDR mutiny: Fazlur Rahman
Commission to thoroughly investigate 2009 BDR mutiny: Fazlur Rahman
4 hours ago | National
Most Read
BCCT MD Rafiqul Islam passes away
BCCT MD Rafiqul Islam passes away
23 hours ago | National
Yemen’s drone operation targets Israeli industrial zone
Yemen’s drone operation targets Israeli industrial zone
10 hours ago | International
"Despite dictator fleeing, conspiracy to destabilize country continues"
"Despite dictator fleeing, conspiracy to destabilize country continues"
6 hours ago | National
8th, 9th floors mostly damaged by secretariat fire
8th, 9th floors mostly damaged by secretariat fire
9 hours ago | National
Entry banned to secretariat building, officials and employees waiting at gate
Entry banned to secretariat building, officials and employees waiting at gate
8 hours ago | City
France train driver’s suicide causes massive rail delays
France train driver’s suicide causes massive rail delays
21 hours ago | International
Baby freezes to death in Gaza amid ceasefire delay blame
Baby freezes to death in Gaza amid ceasefire delay blame
5 hours ago | International
‘We will uproot injustice, syndicates’
‘We will uproot injustice, syndicates’
20 hours ago | National
'Government is working to protect nature & the environment with public participation'
'Government is working to protect nature & the environment with public participation'
20 hours ago | National
Asma al-Assad given 50/50 chance of survival
Asma al-Assad given 50/50 chance of survival
23 hours ago | International
Buet student’s death: 3 accused sent to jail after remand
Buet student’s death: 3 accused sent to jail after remand
22 hours ago | National
Instability resurges in dollar market
Instability resurges in dollar market
6 hours ago | Special
Ex-PMO principal secretary Nazibur sent to jail after remand
Ex-PMO principal secretary Nazibur sent to jail after remand
22 hours ago | National
Interim govt weakest in history: Ripon
Interim govt weakest in history: Ripon
22 hours ago | National
Fire at Bangladesh Secretariat building doused
Fire at Bangladesh Secretariat building doused
9 hours ago | City
Fire at Secretariat: Probe body to be formed, says Home Adviser
Fire at Secretariat: Probe body to be formed, says Home Adviser
8 hours ago | City
EC working to hold election in Dec next year: CEC
EC working to hold election in Dec next year: CEC
20 hours ago | National
44th BCS viva begins Jan 5
44th BCS viva begins Jan 5
23 hours ago | National
Fire engulfs Bangladesh Secretariat building
Fire engulfs Bangladesh Secretariat building
10 hours ago | City
No deaths, 67 hospitalized in 24hrs
No deaths, 67 hospitalized in 24hrs
23 hours ago | National
Rupee hits record low for sixth day amid rising dollar demand
Rupee hits record low for sixth day amid rising dollar demand
8 hours ago | Business
Begum Zia set to visit London for treatment in early January
Begum Zia set to visit London for treatment in early January
7 hours ago | National
Mossad chief believes Israel should target Iran to stop Houthis
Mossad chief believes Israel should target Iran to stop Houthis
9 hours ago | International
Secretariat fire: Firefighter dies after being hit by covered van
Secretariat fire: Firefighter dies after being hit by covered van
7 hours ago | National
Mahedi advances to top 10 in ICC T20 bowling ranking
Mahedi advances to top 10 in ICC T20 bowling ranking
21 hours ago | Sports
Secretariat fire under control after 6 hrs
Secretariat fire under control after 6 hrs
7 hours ago | City
Cyber attack delays some flights of Japan Airlines
Cyber attack delays some flights of Japan Airlines
6 hours ago | International
BRTA to begin Saturday operations
BRTA to begin Saturday operations
6 hours ago | National
RMG workers block Chandra-Nabinagar highway
RMG workers block Chandra-Nabinagar highway
4 hours ago | National
Clashes between Islamism factions and Assad loyalists kill 17 fighters in Syria
Clashes between Islamism factions and Assad loyalists kill 17 fighters in Syria
8 hours ago | International