UNICEF Seeks $1.6B for Children in South Asia

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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has stated that, in South Asia, by 2025, approximately 47 million children will require humanitarian aid due to climate-related disasters, other crises, health emergencies, and economic shocks. UNICEF has launched an appeal to raise $1.6 billion to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to about 28 million people in South Asian countries by 2025, including around 16 million children, primarily in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and other countries.

Sanjay Vijaysekera, UNICEF’s Regional Director for South Asia, mentioned in a press release on Friday, “Millions of children in South Asia are being severely affected by intensifying climate-related disasters, including floods, landslides, cyclones, and droughts, which often occur during the monsoon season.” He added that challenges like public health emergencies, economic crises, and political instability further exacerbate the situation for children, putting their lives at severe risk by obstructing their access to health, nutrition, education, and other basic needs.

The press release highlighted that the funds raised through this humanitarian appeal will aim to meet the health, nutrition, education, protection, water, and sanitation needs of children and their families. UNICEF plans to provide assistance in three key countries of South Asia. In Afghanistan, around 10 million children will receive life-saving assistance and basic services. In Bangladesh, around 2.1 million people, including 529,623 Rohingya refugees, will receive various forms of assistance, addressing health, nutrition, and education needs, benefiting approximately 1.1 million children and healthcare workers with mental health and psychological support. In Pakistan, efforts will be made to provide various forms of aid to about 3.5 million children.

Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, the humanitarian situation remains dire for around 12.4 million children, whose lives are severely impacted by economic hardships, climate-induced shocks, and restrictions on women. As a result, Afghanistan has the largest humanitarian appeal in South Asia.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh is grappling with climate-related disasters and the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis. Over a million Rohingya refugees live in overcrowded camps, and approximately 3.2 million children in Bangladesh are affected by floods, cyclones, and the refugee crisis.

Pakistan

In Pakistan, nearly 24.7 million children are impacted by climate change, gender inequalities, food insecurity, high levels of malnutrition, and political and economic instability. Pakistan ranks fifth globally for climate risks, with increasingly frequent and destructive events like floods and heatwaves.

Other Countries

Nepal continues to be affected by earthquakes, floods, and landslides. Bhutan and Nepal are at high risk of earthquakes due to their geographical location in the Himalayan region. The ongoing floods and droughts in Sri Lanka pose a threat to its economic recovery. The Maldives faces risks from climate change, rising sea levels, and economic challenges.