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After missing school due to severe heat, African kids promote climate action

Kids from East Africa, where heatwaves and floods have actually shuttered schools in recent months, are promoting world leaders to safeguard their education and their future at the United Nations COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan.

Siama, 17, from South Sudan, missed out on 2 weeks of school in April when temperatures surged to 45 degrees Celsius (113. Fahrenheit).

Our country is an establishing nation so we do not have. climate-resilient buildings ... and do not have Air conditioners in school,. she said.

More than 40 million kids were kept out of class. this year, from Asia to Africa, due to severe heat, which. scientists say has actually been made worse and more frequent by environment. change.

Naomi, 14, likewise battled with South Sudan's school. closures.

This actually affected me since this year I am sitting for. my nationwide exams, she said.

At home, we were not able to concentrate since it was. hot, the temperatures were really high, you have to focus more. on reducing the temperature level of your body by going to bathe every. two hours.

In Somalia, Nafiso, 16, often can't sleep at night, believing. about her future under climate change.

My father - he is a farmer. When there is a great deal of heat, it. ends up being a lot of drought. When there is a great deal of rain, it is. challenging to get the food.

Often she does not have sufficient food to eat 3 times a. day.

Floods, too, have at times prevented her from getting to. school.

This is truly making us stressed how will the future be if. there is no action being taken, if there is no climate finance. to produce climate-resilient schools in the country, Naomi stated.

(source: Reuters)