Heatwaves were the deadliest climate disasters in 2025, hitting poorest hardest, WWA finds

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WWA identified 157 extreme weather events in 2025 that met its humanitarian impact criteria. Floods and heatwaves were the most frequent, with 49 events each, followed by storms, wildfires and droughts. Of the 22 events studied in depth, 17 were found to have been made more severe or more likely by climate change.

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The analysis showed that human-induced climate change has made extreme heat both more intense and far more frequent since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015. Global temperatures have risen by about 0.3°C over that period, adding an average of 11 additional extremely hot days each year worldwide.

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The heatwave also underscored how extreme heat interacts with poverty and inequality to magnify harm. After dozens of children collapsed from heatstroke in the capital, Juba, schools were shut nationwide for two weeks, and residents were advised to stay indoors and keep hydrated.

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The report stressed that reducing vulnerability through measures such as heat-resilient schools, early-warning systems and urban cooling can save lives. Low-cost interventions - including shade, passive cooling and adjusted school schedules - could significantly reduce heat-related harm, particularly for children.

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