UNICEF aid reaches more children in North West Pakistan

The drop in the water level in North West Pakistan has allowed UNICEF to reach more children and their families, gathered on higher ground in schools and government buildings.

According to the world’s leading children’s organisation, transport remains a challenge, but small trucks are getting through with much needed aid including hygiene kits and water purification tablets that help to prevent spread of disease in affected areas.

A UNICEF spokesperson on the ground in North West Pakistan Dr Mohammad Rafiq said, “Thankfully, we have seen no serious cases of diarrheal disease in children due to, in part to, the hygiene kits and water purification tablets we are passing out as well as to the regular messages people are hearing on the radio. There have been a few isolated incidents but they have been treated at the medical camps UNICEF has set up.”

In a plea for the UK public to donate to UNICEF’s appeal, Dr Rafiq continued, “We still need assistance so that we can continue to supply people with the hygiene kits, water containers and vaccinations they need. We also need to repair the water tanks so that people have safe water to drink again. This is one of our biggest challenges.”

As the immediate impact of the floods subsides UNICEF is becoming more concerned about the people living in congested spaces while they shelter in schools and community buildings. These cramped conditions increase the risk of infectious diseases, like measles, spreading and children are the most at risk.

UNICEF is mobilising staff and supplies so that vaccination can start to take place and prepared the medical camps so that children can be vaccinated and treated if there are any outbreaks of disease.

Sarah Epstein from UNICEF UK said, “It’s unacceptable that because of this flooding children should continue to be denied their rights to basic things like education or to be as healthy as possible. We want to put this right immediately and we’re appealing for £6.5 million (US$10.3 million) to help reach children in worst hit areas. We don’t receive funding from the UN budget and call on the British public to support us at this time and give what they can to help Pakistan’s children.”

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