“Each of these deaths is a tragedy that could have been avoided. And the sad reality is that without a massive increase in aid, many more children will lose their lives,” said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF head in Pakistan, after his visit to Sindh province. “The situation of the families is catastrophic and the stories I have heard paint a desperate picture. We all meet locally malnourished children struggling with diarrhea, malaria, dengue fever and painful skin diseases. Many mothers suffer from anemia and malnutrition: their children. they don’t weigh enough. They are exhausted or sick and can no longer breastfeed their babies. Millions of families have had to leave their homes and can hardly protect themselves from the scorching sun. “
According to UNICEF colleagues on the ground, many families are forced to seek shelter on higher ground, often close to roads, which in turn poses a danger to children as the lower levels are completely flooded. Added to this is the constant threat of snakes, scorpions and mosquitoes.
An estimated 16 million children have been affected by the devastating floods. At least 3.4 million girls and boys are in urgent need of life-saving assistance.
“Children and their families live outdoors without water, food and livelihoods,” Fadil said. “The vital infrastructure that children depend on has been destroyed and damaged, including thousands of schools, water systems and health facilities.”
UNICEF continues to do all it can to support affected children and families in Pakistan and to protect them from the dangers of disease and malnutrition. Another 36 tons of UNICEF aid is currently on its way to Pakistan and will arrive in the next few days.
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