A generation on the frontlines of climate disaster

Ranked among the most climate-vulnerable countries for children, Pakistan illustrates how environmental shocks disproportionately impact those least responsible for causing them.

The 2022 floods triggered an immediate and severe public health crisis among children. In Sindh and Balochistan, surveys by UNICEF and WHO revealed alarming rates of acute malnutrition: over one in nine children were affected, with 5.2% suffering from severe acute malnutrition and another 10.5% moderately malnourished. These figures exceeded national averages and pointed toward a deepening child hunger emergency. With crops destroyed and livestock lost, families struggled to provide adequate nutrition, increasing the risk of long-term developmental issues such as stunting.

Malnutrition also heightened children's vulnerability to disease, compounding the crisis. As floodwaters stagnated, they created ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, leading to surges in malaria and dengue. In the first eight months of 2022 alone, Pakistan reported over 3.4 million suspected malaria cases, an increase from 2.6 million during the same period in the previous year. Health systems in affected regions became overwhelmed, particularly as children, already weakened by poor nutrition, proved more susceptible to severe illness. Thus, the floods did not end with water damage; they triggered a secondary wave of infectious diseases impacting young populations.

Even outside of flood events, climate change continues to erode children's health. Intensifying heatwaves pose a growing threat, as children are less able to regulate their body temperature compared to adults. In mid-2024, extreme temperatures exceeding 45°C led to more than 15,700 reported cases of heat-related illnesses, many involving children. Additionally, prolonged heat and drought contribute to worsening air quality, with smog and dust increasing respiratory illnesses. An estimated 12% of deaths among children under five in Pakistan are linked to air pollution. These overlapping risks, malnutrition, disease outbreaks, extreme heat and pollution demonstrate how climate change amplifies existing vulnerabilities and creates new ones for children.

Education, another critical pillar of child development, has been severely disrupted by climate disasters. The 2022 floods damaged or destroyed nearly 20,000 schools, leaving around 2.9 million children without access to education. Recovery has been slow, with only about 20% of affected schools rebuilt or repaired by 2024. Many children, particularly in Sindh, continue to study in makeshift conditions such as tents or open spaces, if at all. Climate change has also led to repeated school closures. For example, a severe heatwave in May 2024 forced authorities in Punjab to shut down schools for a week, affecting 26 million students. These disruptions have cumulative effects on learning outcomes. Research suggests that even short interruptions can lead to significant long-term learning losses. Between January 2022 and June 2024, children in Pakistan missed an estimated 97 days of schooling due to climate-related events, more than half an academic year.

Beyond health and education, climate disasters have caused widespread displacement and economic hardship. The 2022 floods displaced around 8 million people, leaving many families in temporary shelters for extended periods. The poorest households were disproportionately affected, often unable to rebuild their homes or livelihoods. As economic pressures mounted, many families resorted to sending their children to work. In some areas, about one-third of parents reported that their children had entered the labour force, sacrificing education to help support household income.

Despite contributing less than 1% of GHG emissions, Pakistan bears a disproportionate burden of climate impacts, particularly on its children. Yet, only 2.4% of international climate finance is directed toward child-focused initiatives. This gap highlights a critical need for global action that prioritises children's resilience and protection. UNICEF has emphasised that without urgent measures to mitigate climate change and invest in adaptation, millions more children will face increased risks of disease, hunger and mortality.