A new report by the United Nations and its humanitarian partners highlights the looming nutrition crisis in flood-affected regions of Pakistan, exacerbated by pre-existing high rates of malnutrition.
The report reveals alarming levels of malnutrition among young children, with one in five children under five suffering from wasting. Severe and moderate acute malnutrition rates stand at 8 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively.
The 84 districts affected by the 2022 monsoon flooding display distressing nutrition indicators, with an average severe acute malnutrition rate of 12 percent, impacting over 3.5 million children.
More than 1.45 million children require treatment with Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) due to severe wasting.
Various factors contribute to acute malnutrition, including poor maternal nutrition, inadequate sanitation and hygiene, suboptimal care and feeding practices, and limited access to essential nutrition services and nutritious diets.
Additionally, approximately 10.5 million people from 43 districts in vulnerable provinces of the country are facing acute food insecurity, with 2.1 million individuals in the emergency phase and 8.4 million in the crisis phase.
Last year’s monsoon rains and flooding severely affected areas such as Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh, leading to decreased food production, consumption, livelihoods, and employment opportunities.
Rising food prices and limited livelihood options have further compounded the challenge of accessing food, and the situation is expected to worsen in the coming months.
The prevailing economic and political crises in Pakistan have also worsened the situation, leading to a decline in households’ purchasing power and their ability to afford food and essential commodities.
The recent heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and hailstorms have caused additional damage to properties and crops, further exacerbating the challenges faced by vulnerable communities.
Lessons learned from the 2022 floods are being incorporated into an inter-agency process led by UNOCHA Pakistan, with a focus on inclusive planning and response efforts that consider the needs of vulnerable individuals, particularly women.