UNICEF, the United Nations’ (UN) Children’s Fund, has voiced its growing concern that shortfalls in emergency relief funding to Pakistan will serious jeopardize human security.
While UNICEF is currently providing aid to 1.3 million people, the UN estimates that more than 15 million people have been seriously affected by the flood. Even with other aid agencies operating in Pakistan, there may be a large service gap that is leaving millions of children vulnerable, as half of all of those affected by the floods are children.
UNICEF's biggest concern? Clean water and sanitation.
3.5 million Pakistani children are currently at risk of contracting water-borne diseases that cause life-threatening diarrhoea. Diarrhoea continues to be one of the foremost killers of children in the world and can be especially lethal during floods, when water sources are often contaminated with disease-causing bacteria.
UNICEF remains anxious that supplies of oral rehydration therapy kits are running low. These kits are easy and effective at-home solutions that help regulate fluids and prevent diarrhoea – and the deadly dehydration that comes with it. It is a simple intervention that can save many lives.
Newborn children are particularly at risk of contracting diarrhoeal diseases. In fact, the mortality rate for children under five in Pakistan is higher than those for any other age group. As such, UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have issued a joint statement on appropriate measures for the feeding of infants and young children. The main focus of the statement concerns the importance of breastfeeding to child health.
According to the joint statement, “Breastfeeding provides critical protection from infection in environments without safe water supply and sanitation.”
During emergencies, a misconception may arise that women cannot safely breastfeed due to extreme stress or inadequate nutrition. While these conditions may temporarily impede a woman’s ability to produce breast-milk, in the long-term, breast-milk remains the safest source of nutrients for infant children.
For children older than six months, the UN agencies recommend complementary feeding, including culturally-appropriate foods and nutrient-fortified powders and milks.
The floods that have hit Pakistan are said to be the worst in 80 years. The affected area is larger than the land area of England, over 900 000 homes have been destroyed and 3.4 million hectares of crops have been decimated. UN officials announced today that the number of people needed assistance is expected to climb above 17 million.