Govt, Unicef agree to enhance cooperation against climate change-related disasters

Islamabad:Unicef representative in Pakistan Abdullah A. Fadil on Wednesday called on coordinator to the prime minister on climate change Romina Khurshid Alam here. They agreed to enhance cooperation to safeguard children from the severe impacts of climate change-related disasters, such as floods and diseases.

Romina Khurshid said that the children of Pakistan were increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, as extreme weather events such as floods, heat waves, droughts, glacial lake outburst floods and shifting rainfall patterns threatened their health, education, and overall well-being.

“What we have learned from recent climate change-caused disasters in Pakistan, is that the country, already one of the most climate-affected countries globally, is experiencing intensified impacts including extreme heat waves, flooding and shifting weather patterns. These climate disruptions are disproportionately affecting children, who are particularly sensitive to environmental changes due to their developing bodies and lower adaptive capacity,” she said.

The aide to the prime minister said addressing the children's climate vulnerability was not possible without targeted interventions, particularly in health, education, water and sanitation sections. She stressed the need for investing in healthcare infrastructure and services to address climate-induced health challenges.

"There is a need for focusing on maternal and child health for strengthening overall health systems, building resilient educational facilities and implementing strategies to ensure that children’s education is not disrupted by climate events so as to ensuring educational continuity, supporting mental health by providing mental health services and psychosocial support to children affected by climate-related stress and trauma, and building resilience of vulnerable communities by prioritising climate adaptation efforts in rural and low-income areas to protect the most at-risk children," she said.

The Unicef’s country representative promised his organisation’s all-out technical and non-technical support to Pakistani government’s efforts for tackling climate vulnerability among children.