Shafaqna Pakistan: Climate change is posing an increasingly serious threat to children in Pakistan, with the United Nations warning that nearly 34 million children are vulnerable to extreme heat, heatwaves and flash floods.
The latest UN report says 34 million children live in areas where rising temperatures, drought and flash flooding present ongoing risks to their health and safety. It noted that children are among the most vulnerable groups and are often the first to bear the effects of the worsening climate crisis.
Child health specialist Dr Abdul Jabbar Bhutto described the situation as deeply concerning, estimating that almost 35 million children are at risk. He cautioned that climate-related disasters not only endanger children’s lives but could also have lasting impacts on their health and overall well-being.
Experts said children living near rivers, streams and glaciers in northern regions face an increasing risk of flash floods, while those residing in plains and desert areas are becoming more vulnerable to extreme heat and prolonged heatwaves.
Health officials urged parents to remain vigilant in the coming weeks by protecting children from extreme temperatures, ensuring adequate hydration and following precautionary measures to reduce heat-related illnesses.
Deputy Director at the Ministry of Health, Dr Rabia Javed, said intense cloudbursts and accelerated glacier melting caused by rising temperatures could trigger sudden flash floods, placing children and their families living in vulnerable areas at significant risk.
UNICEF also warned that climate-related threats could affect nearly 296 million children across the region, including millions in Pakistan, India and Nigeria.
Source: Dunya News
