Unkept promises: Three more children die in Thar

As many as 125 children have reportedly died due to drought-related illnesses in Tharparkar during the last 55 days


Our Correspondent November 24, 2014

HYDERABAD:


Three more children died in drought-hit Thar district on Monday.


Two of the deceased children, 15-day-old Mashooq Ali and a newborn, died in Civil Hospital, Mithi, and the third one, eight-day-old Rashid, died on the way to Hyderabad after being referred there from the hospital.


As many as 125 children have reportedly died due to drought-related illnesses in Tharparkar during the last 55 days. The death toll suddenly rose during the last week, with 51 deaths occurring in nine days.


It is the third consecutive year of drought in the Tharparkar desert. However, the provincial government's drought relief measures have failed to address the calamity's repercussions.


"The government's claims are lies. The reports [recommending relief responses] are not implemented and the promises are never honoured," alleged Haleem Adil Shaikh, the provincial president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, at a press conference on Monday.


He suggested that the government should distribute ration bags for the families, supply drinkable water through tankers and provide a complete nutrition package for children to address hunger. He also emphasised the need to depute at least one medical team in each union council in the district.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2014.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ