A year after the devastating floods that hit Pakistan, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued a warning that approximately 4 million children still require humanitarian assistance and access to essential services. Despite pledges of over US$9 billion from various countries and international institutions during a UN-supported conference in Geneva, funds remain insufficient for a comprehensive recovery.
UNICEF’s alert coincides with ongoing efforts by authorities in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province to evacuate individuals from regions impacted by the overflowing River Sutlej. Since the beginning of August, rescue teams have successfully evacuated more than 100,000 people from marooned areas in Kasur and Bahawalpur districts.
While pledges made during the conference were substantial, primarily in the form of loans for future projects, most of these initiatives are still in their planning stages. The current state of affairs is compounded by this year’s monsoon rains, which have further exacerbated challenges faced by communities affected by the floods. Tragically, these rains have resulted in the deaths of 87 children across Pakistan.
UNICEF’s statement highlighted that an estimated 8 million individuals, approximately half of whom are children, lack access to safe drinking water in areas hit by floods. Furthermore, more than 1.5 million children in flood-affected districts still require essential nutrition interventions. However, UNICEF’s ongoing appeal for funds, amounting to US$173.5 million, is only 57% funded.
Abdullah Fadil, the UNICEF representative in Pakistan, emphasized the harrowing year that vulnerable children living in flood-affected regions have endured. He noted that they have suffered the loss of loved ones, homes, and schools. The resurgence of monsoon rains raises concerns about the potential for another climate-related disaster, he added.
Last year’s floods had catastrophic consequences, causing damages exceeding US$30 billion. Extensive portions of the country were submerged for months, affecting 33 million people and resulting in the loss of 1,739 lives. The floods also wreaked havoc on educational and healthcare infrastructure, damaging 30,000 schools, 2,000 health facilities, and 4,300 water systems.