PAKISTAN IN CRISIS

Unprecedented climate-related flooding, economic deterioration, and a prolonged nutrition emergency have pushed children and families in Pakistan to the brink. UNICEF is responding by providing immediate humanitarian support and working with partners to strengthen critical systems and services.

THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN PAKISTAN

In 2022, Pakistan experienced one of the most severe monsoon seasons since 1961, leading to devastating floods. Vital infrastructure was damaged or destroyed – including schools, health facilities and water systems. More than 33 million people were affected by the floods, resulting in the loss of over 1,700 lives.

Before the floods, children living in many of the hardest-hit districts were already suffering from high malnutrition rates, poor access to water and sanitation, low school enrollment, and other deprivations.

Pakistan has a severe acute malnutrition rate twice that of South Asia region and four times higher than the global average.

An estimated 35.7 million people, including 24.4 million children, are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in Pakistan.

HOW UNICEF IS RESPONDING TO THE SITUATION IN PAKISTAN

UNICEF is continuing to provide support to children and families in the aftermath of the Pakistan floods. We are working with the government and our partners to support displaced families and assist with their safe returns to their communities.

In 2024, we are targeting more than 5.5 million people in Pakistan, including 3.4 million children, with critical life-saving support, such as:

• Providing access to life-saving primary healthcare services;
• Reaching communities with access to safe water and sanitation services;
• Identifying and admitting for treatment children experiencing malnutrition;
• Supporting the continuity of learning and safe school reopening;
• Building back and strengthening climate-resilient systems to withstand future climate shocks.

Since the August 2022 floods, UNICEF, with the help of our donors and partners, has:

• Reached 3.6 million people with primary healthcare services; 
• Enabled access to safe water for 1.7 million people in areas where water networks were damaged or destroyed; 
• Reached over 545,000 children and caregivers with mental health and psychosocial support; 
• Supported education for over 258,000 children.