Pakistan Faces Highest Climate Risk In South Asia: UNICEF Report

(MENAFN- Khaama Press)
TOPSHOT – Rescue workers help evacuating flood affected people from their flood hit homes following heavy monsoon rains in Rajanpur district of Punjab province on August 27, 2022. – Heavy rain pounded much of Pakistan on August 26 after the government declared an emergency to deal with monsoon flooding it said had affected more than 30 million people. (Photo by Shahid Saeed MIRZA / AFP) (Photo by SHAHID SAEED MIRZA/AFP via Getty Images)

A recently published UNICEF report has ranked Pakistan among the countries where children face the highest risks from climate change-related disasters, making it the most vulnerable nation in South Asia in this regard.

The report highlights the severe threats posed to millions of children in Pakistan due to escalating floods, droughts, and extreme weather events. These findings underscore the urgent need for national and international efforts to protect vulnerable populations from the worsening impacts of climate change.

Pakistan's geographical and socio-economic landscape makes it particularly susceptible to climate change. With an extensive river system, glaciers, and an agricultural sector heavily dependent on predictable weather patterns, the country faces significant challenges as climate-related disruptions become more frequent and severe.

Over the past two decades, Pakistan has experienced recurring floods, prolonged droughts, and extreme heat waves, leading to widespread devastation. The catastrophic floods of 2022 exemplify the growing risks, as nearly one-third of the country was submerged, affecting over 33 million people, including 16 million children. The destruction of schools, contamination of water supplies, and the spread of waterborne diseases further exacerbated the crisis, disproportionately impacting children from marginalized and low-income communities.

UNICEF's report highlights the unique vulnerabilities of children in the face of climate-induced disasters. In Pakistan, children are particularly at risk due to malnutrition, inadequate healthcare, and disruptions to education.

Maternal malnutrition, compounded by food insecurity and poverty, often results in poor health outcomes for newborns. As children grow, they face numerous challenges, including limited access to quality education, healthcare, and safe living conditions. Disasters such as floods displace families, destroy critical infrastructure, and expose children to unsanitary environments, leading to the spread of diseases such as cholera, dengue, and malaria. Droughts disrupt water supplies and agricultural productivity, contributing to food shortages and malnutrition, further affecting children's development.

Beyond the immediate physical consequences, the psychological toll of climate change on children is often overlooked. Extreme weather events such as floods and droughts disrupt children's sense of security, leading to long-term mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Displacement and financial hardships often force children to drop out of school, compounding the stress and limiting their opportunities for a stable future. Given that education is a crucial pathway out of poverty, these disruptions have far-reaching consequences for individuals and society at large.

The UNICEF report underscores the broader implications of climate inaction, both globally and nationally. Industrialized nations, which have contributed the most to climate change through decades of greenhouse gas emissions, bear a significant responsibility for addressing its consequences. However, developing nations like Pakistan, which contribute less than 1 percent of global emissions, remain disproportionately affected. The lack of adequate financial and technical support from the international community further intensifies these challenges.

At the national level, Pakistan's climate response has been constrained by resource limitations, political instability, and competing priorities. While initiatives such as the“Ten Billion Tree Tsunami” project and the Ministry of Climate Change's efforts signal progress, they are insufficient in addressing the structural vulnerabilities exposed by climate-related disasters. Weak infrastructure, inadequate disaster preparedness, and limited investment in education and healthcare continue to place millions of children at risk.

Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive global approach. Wealthier nations must honor their commitments to climate financing for developing countries, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. This funding should prioritize child-centered projects, including the development of resilient schools, improved access to clean water, and enhanced healthcare infrastructure in climate-vulnerable regions.

International organizations such as UNICEF can play a crucial role in advocating for policies that place children at the forefront of climate adaptation and disaster response strategies. Emergency relief efforts must focus on ensuring adequate nutrition, education, and mental health support for affected children.

The UNICEF report serves as a critical reminder of the urgent need for decisive action. Protecting children from the worsening impacts of climate change is not only a moral responsibility but also a strategic imperative for sustainable development. Pakistan, along with the international community, must prioritize child-centered climate policies and mitigation efforts to ensure a safer and more resilient future for the next generation.

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