Millions of Children in Pakistan Still Lack Access to Safe Water, UNICEF Warns
One year after devastating floods wreaked havoc in Pakistan, around 4 million children in the country still do not have access to safe water, according to the United Nations children’s agency, UNICEF. In a press release, UNICEF estimated that there are 8 million people, half of whom are children, living in flood-affected areas without clean water. “Vulnerable children living in flood-affected areas have endured a horrific year,” said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “Recovery efforts continue, but many remain unreached, and the children of Pakistan risk being forgotten.”
Last year, Pakistan was hit by record monsoon rains and melting glaciers that caused catastrophic flooding. The floods claimed the lives of nearly 1,600 people, including many children, and affected an estimated 33 million more. Homes were washed away, leaving tens of thousands stranded without food or clean water. Additionally, 30,000 schools, 2,000 health facilities, and 4,300 water systems were damaged or destroyed.
UNICEF stated that the floods deepened existing inequities for children and families in affected areas, as a third of children were already out of school, malnutrition was at emergency levels, and access to safe drinking water and sanitation was worryingly low. As floodwaters receded, water-related diseases began spreading, particularly among children. Diarrhea, dysentery, dengue fever, and malaria infected thousands of children, leading to desperate pleas for help from their parents.
The flooding exacerbated an already severe economic crisis in Pakistan, pushing millions into poverty and making it difficult to afford essentials such as food, fuel, and medicines. Political turmoil has added to the country’s predicament, with former Prime Minister Imran Khan arrested on corruption charges, sparking deadly protests. Khan was ousted from power in a no-confidence vote last year, following allegations of bad governance and economic mismanagement. He claims the charges against him are politically motivated and influenced by the country’s powerful military.
In an attempt to alleviate the economic strain, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $3 billion bailout for Pakistan last month. However, the conditions of the loan, such as allowing the country to return to a market-based exchange rate, may have contributed to a crash in Pakistan’s rupee. The currency is currently trading at 301 to the US dollar.
The poverty rate in Pakistan has reached a staggering 21.9%, affecting over one-fifth of the population, according to IMF data. Rising prices and widespread hunger have caused stress, anxiety, and despair. During Ramadan in April, hundreds of people lined up on the streets for a bag of free flour, resulting in deadly stampedes and chaos.
UNICEF has also warned that the climate crisis and extreme weather events are having a devastating impact on children in South Asia. Around 460 million children in the region, including Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan, are exposed to extreme high temperatures, with South Asia being the hardest-hit region for children under the age of 18.
UNICEF has called on the government of Pakistan and its partners to increase investments in basic social services for children and families. “We cannot forget the children of Pakistan. The floodwaters have gone, but their troubles remain in this climate-volatile region,” said Abdullah Fadil from UNICEF.