Separated children at risk in flood-hit Pakistan

A man passes his daughter to a rescue boat in Sindh province. Picture: Reuters/Akhtar Soomro, courtesy of http://www.alertnet.org/

LIVES ARE AT RISK in the aftermath of the Pakistan floods because health and security issues are being neglected in the camps, aid workers have warned.

The emergency response staff at Plan International report that displaced families are crammed into unhygienic and chaotic camps - posing serious risks, especially to the protection and health of children.

The children’s charity has launched a $US4 million appeal to fund water, food, medicine and shelter for some of the 20 million people caught up in the crisis.

Most of those affected are children and women.

Plan has been working on child rights and humanitarian issues in Pakistan for the past 13 years.

“Families, including children, are being registered on their arrival in the camps in some districts, however, absolutely no attention has been given to child protection issues,” says Plan’s Country Director in Pakistan, Haider Waseem Yaqub.

“Ensuring the safety and security of children in a crisis situation is crucial and forms the foundation of child protection work.

“Camp officials are unprepared for such a large number of affected people, and the situation in the camps is visibly chaotic.”

Women and children make up the majority of camp inhabitants, as many men head back home to try and rescue or salvage their meagre belongings.

“There are a number of women-headed families in the camp and the possibility of unaccompanied children cannot be ruled out,” says Mr Yaqub.

“There are limited arrangements for families’ security and safety and the likelihood of children being abducted and abused can be a serious issue as camps start to overcrowd.

“We also have to keep in mind that whenever there is a crisis, the criminal element is always there to take advantage of the chaos. I believe we have to act quickly and effectively to protect the vulnerable,” he says.

Plan emergency response workers are raising awareness of child protection issues with volunteers and parents in the camps through training, posters, and orientation sessions.

Plan is using funding provided by AusAID to implement a Child Protection in Emergencies program across 100 sites. This will support boys and girls to engage in structured learning, receive information about health, hygiene and other protection issues - including separation and trafficking - along with getting opportunities to be children again.

The health and hygiene need is also reaching critical levels, with women and children a priority. Plan is distributing hygiene kits in six districts of Punjab and Sindh, containing biscuits, disinfectant, detergent, sanitary towels, nail cutters, toothpaste and a washing bowl.

“Incidences of waterborne diseases among communities, especially children, as well as heat stroke and skin diseases are already on the rise. Severe insect and snake bites are frequent occurrences as the water level rises, especially in the rural areas, ” says Mr Yaqub.

“The current situation can lead to a steep increase in the incidences of diarrhea, typhoid, cholera, heat stroke and skin diseases,” says Dr Irfan Ahmed, Plan’s Health Advisor in Pakistan. “Urgent measures are needed to address the needs of the millions of children whose lives are at risk.

“The services side of health is being taken care of by district government to some extent, however, hygiene awareness is completely absent in the current situation.”

Donations to Plan’s Pakistan floods appeal can be made via the Children in Crisis Fund or by calling 13 75 26.

Find out more about Plan’s work in Pakistan.

ENDS

Plan staff in Pakistan, including Country Director Haider Yaqub, are available for interview, as are the following Australian staff.

Disaster Response Manager, Rohan Kent
Rohan is overseeing Plan International Australia’s response to the Pakistan floods. He worked in north-west Pakistan in 2009 during the civil conflict that displaced millions of people.

Child Protection in Emergencies Specialist, Amalia Fawcett
Amalia worked in north-west Pakistan after the massive 2005 earthquake. She can comment on the importance of child protection in the midst of the current emergency, and the unique cultural sensitivities that must be considered.

Chief Executive, Ian Wishart
Ian has many years experience in disaster response, and can speak in detail about Plan’s response in Pakistan. Read Ian Wishart’s biography.

For interviews with Plan staff in Pakistan or Australia, contact:

David Cook
Media Officer
Plan International Australia
Mob: 0448 816 900
Ph: 03 9672 3652
Email: david.cook@plan.org.au