UNICEF has launched an appeal to raise $1.6 billion by 2025 to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to around 28 million people in South Asian countries.
Of these there will be approximately 16 million children and most of them will be in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other countries.
Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, said in a press release issued on Friday: “Millions of children in South Asia are severely affected by increasingly severe climate-related disasters, including floods, landslides, storms and drought conditions. And all these disasters happen more often during the monsoon season.”
“For children, these challenges are compounded by public health emergencies, economic crises and political instability.”
“As a result, children’s lives are put at serious risk, their health, nutrition, education and other basic needs are seriously hampered.”
Funds raised through humanitarian appeals will be used to ensure that the health, nutrition, education, protection, water and sanitation needs of children and their families are met, UNICEF’s press release said.
As part of humanitarian action for children in the South Asia region, there are plans to expand access to aid in three major countries.
An estimated one million children in Afghanistan will receive life-saving assistance and basic services.
In Bangladesh, a total of 2.1 million people, including an estimated 5,29,623 Rohingya refugees, will be provided with various forms of assistance to meet their health, nutrition and education needs.
These will also benefit around 11 lakh children and healthcare workers who will be provided with mental health and psychological support.
Efforts will be made to provide various types of assistance to around 3.5 million children in Pakistan.
Afghanistan
The press release states that for the estimated 12.4 million children in Afghanistan, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Economic hardship, climate-induced shocks and restrictions on women make their lives difficult.
As a result of this situation, Afghanistan is the country in South Asia where most appeals for humanitarian aid have been issued.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is dealing with the burden of climate-related disasters and the long-running Rohingya refugee crisis. It should be noted that more than 1 million Rohingya refugees are taking shelter in Bangladesh who are forced to live in densely populated camps.
About 3.2 million children in Bangladesh are vulnerable to the effects of floods, storms and the refugee crisis.
Pakistan
In Pakistan, an estimated 24.7 million children are vulnerable to the high impact of climate change, gender inequality, food insecurity, high levels of malnutrition and political and economic instability.
Pakistan ranks fifth in the world in terms of climate risk, with extreme weather events such as floods and heat waves becoming more frequent and more destructive.
other countries
Nepal has also been hit by frequent earthquakes, floods and landslides. Bhutan and Nepal are at high risk of earthquakes due to their location in the Himalayan region.
Frequent floods and drought conditions also threaten Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. Maldives is vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise as well as economic problems.