ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) on Wednesday warned that education for 230,000 children in flood-affected areas of Sindh was on the hold, calling for urgent investment in climate-resilient schools and services for children in Pakistan.

Children are bearing the brunt of extreme weather in Sindh affected by school closures due to devastating monsoon floods that have swept through the southern part of the country, Unicef stated.

According to the Sindh education department, 230,976 children were affected, 1,348 schools and 181 Temporary Learning Centers (TLCs) were damaged, and 2,293 schools are non-functional due to standing flood water. Also, 93 schools are being used as IDP camps. “From heat waves to floods, children are repeatedly being locked out of learning due to climate shocks. Pakistan, already in the grip of an education emergency with 26.2 million children out of school, cannot afford more learning losses,” said Unicef Representative in Pakistan Abdullah Fadil.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2024