In the aftermath of the devastating floods in Pakistan, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Pakistan, Abdullah Fadel, confirmed that even after a year, millions of children are still in dire need of humanitarian assistance and basic services.
This comes as funding for recovery and rebuilding efforts is waning.
According to the United Nations Information Center, UNICEF reported that the ongoing monsoon rains have exacerbated conditions in flood-affected regions, resulting in the tragic loss of 87 children across Pakistan.
About eight million people, nearly half of whom are children, are struggling to access safe water in flood-hit areas, and over 1.5 million children require life-saving nutrition assistance.
Regrettably, UNICEF’s appeal for life-saving support has only been met with 57% of the total requested funding, which stands at approximately $174 million.
Fadel stressed the importance of not forgetting the children of Pakistan, stating that while the floodwaters have receded, the problems facing children remain in this climate-vulnerable region.
Last year’s floods submerged one-third of Pakistan’s land and affected 33 million people, half of whom were children. The floods also inflicted damage on critical infrastructure, including 30,000 schools and 2,000 health facilities.
UNICEF has called upon the Pakistani government and humanitarian partners to increase investments in basic social services for children and their families.
