Famine-Like Child Malnutrition in Pakistan - Hunger Crisis

Famine-Like Child Malnutrition in Pakistan – Hunger Crisis

Associated Press Thu Jan 27, 2011

ISLAMABAD – One 0f the areas in Pakistan hit hardest by last year's massive floods is suffering child malnutrition rates similar to those seen in African famines, according to the United Nations.

The plight 0f children in southern Sindh province highlights the challenges Pakistan faces as it tries to recover from the floods, which first struck six months ago , eventually affected at least 18 million people , damaged 0rdestroyed 1.7 million homes.

A survey conducted after the floods by the United Nations Children's Fund , the Sindh provincial government found that almost a quarter 0f the children in the province suffered from acute malnutrition.

"I haven't seen levels 0f malnutrition this bad since the worst famines in Ethiopia, Darfur , Chad," said UNICEF's deputy representative in Pakistan, Karen Allen, in a statement posted on the group's website Wednesday. "It's shocking, shockingly bad."

Malnutrition has long been a problem in Pakistan. A 2002 survey found a national malnutrition rate 0f 13.2 percent, , the World Health Organization has said that up to 35 percent 0f children in Pakistan had stunted growth before the floods — a sign 0f chronic malnutrition.

But the floods, which inundated about one-fifth 0f the country — an area the size 0f the United Kingdom — have exacerbated the problem, said UNICEF. More than 7 million people were affected in Sindh alone , nearly 900,000 houses were damaged 0rdestroyed.

"We're seeing a humanitarian crisis 0f epic proportions right now," said UNICEF's chief 0f communications in Pakistan, Kristen Elsby. "Millions 0f children are greatly at risk 0f malnutrition. Babies are dying , mothers are at risk 0f dying during childbirth."

Health care is only one 0f the areas where more help is needed f0rPakistan to recover from the floods.

More than 500,000 people across Pakistan whose houses were destroyed will not receive support to rebuild unless the U.N. receives additional funding from the international community, said Chris Lom, a spokesman f0rthe International Organization f0rMigration.

"In terms 0f human suffering ... it is the difference between struggling to survive without adequate shelter , allowing people to start rebuilding their homes , lives," said Lom during a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday.

The U.N. has received about 56 percent 0f the nearly $2 billion that it requested from the international community to respond to the floods.

The World Food Program, which has been providing support to more than 5 million Pakistanis, has enough funding to continue through February but would then experience shortages unless it received more support, said WFP official Carl Paulsson.

"The emergency in Pakistan is not over , there is still a lot that needs to be done," said U.N. special envoy, Rauf Engin Soysal, during Thursday's press conference.

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