Flood-affected children

Unicef is estimating that about 16 million children have been impacted by the “super floods” that have ravaged Pakistan, and 3.4 million children need immediate, lifesaving assistance because of the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue fever and malaria, and various stomach and skin diseases. Malnutrition is also a problem for almost every flood victim, as aid delivery remains erratic in several areas. In the case of pregnant women and new mothers, many of them are anemic and malnourished, due to which they are also unable to breastfeed their babies.

Meanwhile, visiting Unicef officials have noted that not enough foreign aid has been forthcoming, warning that over 500 children have already died among the 1,500-plus people killed by the floods, and “many more children will lose their lives” if more assistance is not provided urgently. Unfortunately, the scale of the disaster is such that even though the raw numbers for aid are respectable — the US has offered over $50 million so far, the UK raised its pledge to about $17 million, while Japan pledged $7 million and Canada $3 million — the numbers become minuscule when measured against the scale of the damage. The aid numbers would have to increase manifold to even offer immediate assistance to most victims, let alone help the country recover from the damage. As an example, with over 40 million people now needing assistance, even a billion dollars would come out to under $25 each.

Even providing basic shelter remains a challenge. Many of the victims are still stuck on temporary islands surrounded by floodwater, often sleeping out in the open. Simple tents and mosquito nets would provide a high degree of protection from mosquito-borne diseases and a bit of defence against extreme heat. Experts have also noted that snakes, scorpions and other dangerous animals are present in many of the areas where flood victims have relocated, and many of these threats could also be reduced significantly if the affectees had a clean, enclosed space to sleep and rest in.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2022.

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