ISLAMABAD: Climate change has become a major threat to the future of children, according to the United Nations. A recent UN report states that around 34 million children in Pakistan are living in areas where extreme heat, heatwaves, drought, and flash floods have become constant threats to their lives and health.
Whether it is intense heat, prolonged heatwaves, or sudden flash floods, experts say children are the first and most severely affected by the impacts of climate change.
Child specialist Dr. Abdul Jabbar Bhutto described the situation as alarming, saying that nearly 35 million children are at risk. He said the threat is not only to their lives, but even those who survive face countless long-term health risks.
According to experts, children living near rivers, streams, and glaciers in the northern areas are highly vulnerable to flash floods. Meanwhile, children residing in the plains and desert regions are increasingly facing the dangers of extreme temperatures and heatwaves.
Officials have urged parents to pay special attention over the coming weeks to protecting their children from extreme heat, preventing dehydration, and following necessary safety precautions.
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Deputy Director at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Rabia Javed, explained that climate change can trigger sudden cloudbursts, causing large volumes of water to rush downhill. She added that rising temperatures can also accelerate glacier melting, leading to sudden surges of water in the form of flash floods. In both situations, children living with their families are at risk of being caught in these floods.
UNICEF has also warned that the growing risks associated with climate change could affect approximately 296 million children across the region, including millions of children in Pakistan, Nigeria, and India.
