UNICEF says a year on from Pakistan's catastrophic floods, millions of children still need support
Aug 25, 2023
The United Nations children’s agency is warning that a year on from Pakistan's catastrophic floods, millions of children still need humanitarian assistance and access to essential services
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United Nations children’s agency on Friday warned that a year on from Pakistan's
devastating floods
, an estimated 4 million children continue to need humanitarian assistance and access to essential services as a shortage of funds remains a hurdle in recovery.The warning from UNICEF comes as authorities in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province are
racing against time
to evacuate people from areas affected by the overflowing River Sutlej. Since Aug. 1, rescuers have evacuated over 100,000 people from marooned areas in the districts of Kasur and Bahawalpur.More than six months ago, dozens of countries and international institutions at a U.N.-backed conference in Geneva pledged
more than $9 billion
to help Pakistan recover and rebuild from last summer's floods. But most of the pledges were in the form of loans for projects, which are still in the planning stages.“This season’s monsoon rains are worsening the already challenging conditions for flood-affected communities, tragically claiming the lives of 87 children across the country,” UNICEF said in a statement.
It said an estimated 8 million people, around half of whom are children, continue to live without access to safe water in flood-affected areas. It said more than 1.5 million children still require lifesaving nutrition interventions in flood-affected districts, while UNICEF’s current appeal of $173.5 million remains only 57% funded.
“Vulnerable children living in flood-affected areas have endured a horrific year,” said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF representative in Pakistan. “They lost their loved ones, their homes and schools," he said. The return of monsoon rains has raised fears of another climate disaster, he added.
Last year's floods caused more than $30 billion in damages as large swaths of the country remained underwater for months, affecting 33 million people and killing 1,739. The deluges destroyed or damaged 30,000 schools, 2,000 health facilities and 4,300 water systems.
UNICEF said one-third of children were already out of school before the floods, while malnutrition was
reaching emergency levels
and access to safe drinking water and sanitation was worryingly low.Southern Sindh province was one of the worst hit last year. But Ajay Kumar, a spokesman for the local disaster management agency, told The Associated Press that authorities haven't received any complaints or demands from districts affected by the floods.
People who were living in relief camps or on the roadside have returned home because they received compensation for the damage and loss suffered, he said. Local organizations are carrying out reconstruction and rehabilitation work on houses, schools and health care facilities. “I can say that the situation here is normal," he added.
In its statement, the children’s agency said because of support from the international community, aid reached 3.6 million people with primary health care services. Access to safe water was enabled for 1.7 million people in areas where water networks were damaged or destroyed, reaching over 545,000 children.
Mental health and psychosocial support was also provided to 258,000 children, it said.
UNICEF called on Pakistan and aid agencies to increase and sustain investment in basic social services for children and families. "The flood waters have gone, but their troubles remain, in this climate-volatile region,” said Fadil.
—-
Zarar Khan contributed to this report.
MORE NEWS
China widens PLA anti-graft campaign, expelling corporate chiefs, 16 generals from party
Beijing has given new details about the scale of its anti-corruption drive into the People’s Liberation Army and defence industry, with fresh names confirmed as being investigated. They include top generals who once oversaw theatre commands, heads of the powerful Central Military Commission’s General Office and executives in key defence companies. The names are included in a communique released at the close of the fifth plenum of the 20th Central Committee on Thursday, as the party concluded its...
Bihar MLC polls: RJD's Anil Jha declared elected, party's overall tally climbs to 17
The Election Commission has declared RJD candidate Anil Jha elected from the Darbhanga Graduates constituency in the Bihar Legislative Council elections. Jha defeated sitting BJP MLC Sarvesh Kumar by securing 25,406 votes against his rival's 21,396. The RJD has now won two of the eight seats contested, improving its tally in the Upper House to 17.
My broken office printer has more job security than me: Corporate employee's rant on why a machine can't be disposed unlike humans goes viral
A corporate employee's account of a printer that has been broken since 2021 but cannot be disposed of because of company policies has sparked online reactions. After repeated rejections from Finance and Facilities, the employee was eventually made the machine's official custodian, joking that it had more job security than he did.
eMudhra appoints KPMG to conduct independent review of TLS certificate incident
Digital trust provider eMudhra appointed KPMG to conduct an independent review of a recent TLS certificate incident. This appointment follows a commitment made by the company to ensure clarity regarding the incident. The incident involved weak private keys associated with several certificate authorities, which remained undetected for a significant period. As a result, eMudhra has withdrawn from its global SSL/TLS certificate business due to security concerns.
Nepalese NGO plans to set up India-Nepal joint tourism council
The proposed council will bring together tourism experts, travel and tour operators, hotel and resort managers, hospitality professionals and other stakeholders from both countries
Rs 5 Lay's packet, Rs 8,000 compensation! Man finds just 4 grams of chips instead of 15 grams; court orders PepsiCo to pay with interest
A Jaipur consumer commission has directed PepsiCo to pay Rs 8,000 in compensation and litigation expenses to a customer who alleged that a Rs 5 Lay's packet contained only 4 grams of chips instead of the declared 15 grams. The company must also refund Rs 5 with 6% annual interest. The complaint against retailer Metro Cash & Carry was dismissed.
World Wrestling Championships: Manisha Bhanwala A Win Away From Creating History
Manisha Bhanwala advanced to the women's 59kg final at the World Championships, keeping India's gold medal hopes alive.
Delhi air force ground closure: Why govt is reclaiming prime Lutyens land near PM house including Race Club, Jaipur Polo Ground and Gymkhana Club
The closure of the Air Force Sports Complex on October 28 is the latest development in the government's drive to reclaim prime land near Lok Kalyan Marg. After taking over the Delhi Race Club and Jaipur Polo Ground and terminating the Delhi Gymkhana Club's lease, questions remain over the Centre's plans for these properties.
DHFL Case: Delhi court rejects CBI plea for additional charges against Wadhawan brothers, says it cannot review charge order
A special court in Delhi denied the CBI's request for additional charges against Kapil Wadhawan and Dheeraj Wadhawan. The court stated that it could not review its earlier decisions except for clerical errors. Special Judge Sanjeev Kumar Malhotra noted that charges had already been properly framed against the accused. The CBI's arguments for new charges were deemed unsubstantiated and informal.