South Asia

Islamabad: August 16, 2023 – The Government of France has allocated 3 million euros (nearly 3.27 million USD) to support UNICEF’s humanitarian response in flood-affected areas. This vital funding will strengthen primary healthcare and immunization services in the most affected districts in Sindh province, targeting 1.9 million children and women.…

One year ago, catastrophic floods upended the lives of millions of children in Pakistan. One-third of the country was underwater, affecting 33 million people, half of whom were children. Over 1,700 lives were lost, including 600 children. The scale of the devastation was unlike anything experienced before. More than 2.2 million houses were damaged…, Voices of Children, "Last year, flood water destroyed my home and school. Me and my goat Rani are afraid because it is raining, and our village might get flooded again." Hazar Khan (6) from Rajanpur District, Punjab A boy stands with his pet goat UNICEF/Pakistan/Sami Malik "The best part about school is learning something new every day. Now I can read Sindhi, English…, UNICEF’s Flood Response, UNICEF supplies for the flood emergency response in Pakistan arrive at Karachi Airport. UNICEF Supply arrive in Karachi, UNICEF supplies for the flood emergency response in Pakistan arrive at Karachi Airport., UNICEF/Pakistan/Arsalan Butt Porters bring essential health supplies, including ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for severely malnourished children in Dadu, Sindh. Flood webpage carousel image 8, Porters bring essential health supplies, including ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for severely malnourished children in Dadu, Sindh., UNICEF/Pakistan/Saiyna Bashir Prakash, a nutrition assistant, checks the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of 18-month-old Teerth at a UNICEF-supported mobile nutrition clinic for flood-affected children and women at Cattle Colony Camp in Umerkot District, Sindh. Teerth has been diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. Flood webpage carousel…, Prakash, a nutrition assistant, checks the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of 18-month-old Teerth at a UNICEF-supported mobile nutrition clinic for flood-affected children and women at Cattle Colony Camp in Umerkot District, Sindh. Teerth has been diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition., UNICEF/Pakistan/Asad Zaidi 7 year old Shukri and her friends smile at the temporary learning centre established by UNICEF for flood-affected children in Tent City, Mirpur Khas District, Sindh. Floods webpage photo 12, 7 year old Shukri and her friends smile at the temporary learning centre established by UNICEF for flood-affected children in Tent City, Mirpur Khas District, Sindh., UNICEF/Pakistan/Asad Zaidi A girl washes her hands at a at a handwashing station established by UNICEF in Mehar Veesar village, Khairpur district, Sindh unicef floods webpage image 1, A girl washes her hands at a at a handwashing station established by UNICEF in Mehar Veesar village, Khairpur district, Sindh, UNICEF/Pakistan/Fahad Ahmad UNICEF supplies for the flood emergency response in Pakistan arrive at Karachi Airport. Porters bring essential health supplies, including ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for severely malnourished children in Dadu, Sindh. Prakash, a nutrition assistant, checks the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) of 18-month-old…, The Challenges Ahead, The road to recovery continues for millions of children and families but significant risks remain. An economic crisis, increased food prices and record inflation nearing 40 per cent has gripped Pakistan in recent months, hitting the poorest children and families hardest.  This season’s monsoon rains are worsening already challenging conditions in…, Thank You, UNICEF is grateful to the following donors for the much-needed resources to support early response and recovery efforts:  Australia, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Kuwait, the Republic of Korea, Norway, Romania, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the UN Central…

NEW DELHI/KATHMANDU, 7 August 2023 – South Asia has the highest percentage of children exposed to extreme high temperatures, compared to all other regions, according to a UNICEF analysis.  UNICEF estimates that 76 per cent of children under 18 in South Asia – 460 million – are exposed to extreme high temperatures where 83 or more days in a year…

Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Bus Bibi resides with her husband and children in the quaint village of Danduna surrounded by green hills and traditional mud houses. They live in an Afghan Refugee settlement called Gandaf, established almost 30 years ago. Bus Bibi, now around 40 years old, has eight children with her 75-year-old husband, Mohammad Ashiq…

NEW DELHI/ KATHMANDU, 18 July 2023 – Immunization services in South Asia reached 1.96 million more children in 2022 compared to the previous year, as countries stepped up efforts to address the historic backsliding in immunization caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and save children’s lives. According to data published today by UNICEF and the World…

Nasirabad, Balochistan province: Muhammed Usman (9 months), is a playful infant curiously jumping in his mother’s lap, trying to grab whatever his hands can reach. Brought to a UNICEF-supported Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) centre, by his mother Khanzadi, for a routine examination, Usman is all excited as Naheed Israr, a Nutrition…

Swat, Khyber Pakthukhwa (KP): “He was born very weak, we didn’t think he would survive,” says Hazrat Ali, holding his 19-month-old son, Sudais, in his lap. “I went to every hospital in the area but found no cure for his weakness.” Three months ago, a severely malnourished Sudais was brought to the UNICEF Integrated Nutrition Programme (INP) at the…

KATHMANDU, 15 June 2023 – “Over 625,000 children are at immediate risk from strong winds, heavy rainfall and flooding as Cyclone Biparjoy made landfall today. “We are deeply concerned about the health and safety of children in districts at risk of coastal flooding, many of whom were vulnerable even before the current cyclone hit. “In  Pakistan , …

The 4th International Conference on Early Childhood Development centred around the theme “Nurturing for Transforming Lives - The Power of Early Childhood Development” was held on 22nd and 23rd February at the Allama Iqbal Open University.

There are 22 key family care practices which cover the period from conception to 8 years. The topics cover health, nutrition, safe water, hygiene and sanitation, child protection and education as well as nurturing and care. Men's role and engagement in child development have been highlighted as key and promoted across the 22 practices.

Download the document for details

Haripur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province: “We can now open the tap and drink water whenever we want,” says 10-year-old Khadija, with a broad smile. “My father doesn’t have to go out in search of water anymore, we can wash dishes daily and have no fear of falling ill by drinking bad water.” Not being able to access safe drinking water at…