Severe floods in Pakistan devastate tens and thousands of citizens.
By: Nikki 11.1
In recent months Pakistan has faced extreme monsoon rains, which have led to deadly and devastating floods and landslides. Over 33 million people, who are mostly children, have been affected by this disaster. These rains are the most severe in Pakistan’s recent history.
Children and people living in poverty have faced the worst of it. Schools across the country have been damaged or destroyed, disrupting tens of thousands of children's learning. Allah Warayu, a student in 4th class, had his school flooded with water. He says “I miss school…I have no idea where or how my other classmates are.”
People who already suffer from malnutrition or struggle with finding access to clean water are now even more at risk of drowning, or developing water-borne diseases like malaria. Water supply systems and sanitation facilities that provide for millions have been damaged, leaving many with only the option of drinking contaminated water. Hundreds of children have now died as a result.
Nadeem Chandio, a young boy living the Sindh province, is one of the many children who fell ill due to these floods. His father, Zeeshan Chandio, says “I too want help and I don’t know what’s wrong with my son. His stomach is not well and belly is swollen.”
Houses and buildings across Pakistan have been destroyed. This includes essential buildings like hospitals and public health facilities, meaning people in need of medical support have nowhere to go. Children in Pakistan are in dire need of such support, dealing with diseases like cholera, diarrhoea and more.
The suffering of these children is partly due to climate change - scientists state climate change made peak rainfall in Pakistan 75% more intense than it would have been without the impact of climate change. UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Change Risk Index ranks Pakistan as the country in Asia where children are put most at risk due to climate disasters. However, further analysis points out that much of the damage may have been prevented if outdated drainage was replaced, as many people living in flood-prone areas did not have sufficient drainage for the cases of heavy rain.
These floods warn us of the consequences climate change has already inflicted on our lives - how many innocent people have to suffer and die before we realise how serious of a crisis climate change is?
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