UNICEF has launched an appeal for $140.9 million to provide life-saving humanitarian aid to vulnerable populations in Pakistan, as well as to Afghan refugees, as reported by national media on Saturday.
According to a report by Dawn News, UNICEF’s initiative includes $41.6 million for emergency nutrition, $59.8 million for potential humanitarian responses, $34.5 million for refugee and host community support, and $5 million for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and resilience building, acknowledging that Pakistan hosts more than 3 million Afghan refugees.
The report reveals that 49 percent of Afghan refugees are children with varying legal statuses, requiring access to basic services, which further strains the already limited resources. At the same time, the Pakistani population is facing multidimensional deprivations, leaving them extremely vulnerable.
On the other hand, climate change is creating major risks for Pakistan, causing devastating floods and extreme weather conditions, which significantly exacerbate vulnerabilities, especially for children and women in various cities of the country.
In 2022, catastrophic floods affected nearly 33 million people, with more than 50% of them being children, highlighting the urgent need for investments to reduce the impact of disasters, so that those in flood-affected areas can live with greater ease and peace.
