47 million children will need humanitarian assistance in South Asia in 2025 – UNICEF

NEW DELHI, 6 December 2024: Almost 47 million children will need humanitarian assistance in South Asia in 2025 due to climate-induced disasters, crises, health emergencies and economic shocks, according to a new funding appeal launched by UNICEF yesterday.

UNICEF is appealing for US$ 1.6 billion to reach 28 million people, including 16 million children, in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and across the region with lifesaving aid in 2025.

“Millions of children in South Asia are severely impacted with increasingly severe, climate-related disasters, including floods, landslides, cyclones, and droughts, particularly during the monsoon season,” said Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia. “The challenges for children are exacerbated by public health emergencies, economic crises, and political instability. As a result, children’s lives are at risk with severe disruptions to their health, nutrition, education as well as other basic needs.”

In Afghanistan, the humanitarian outlook remains dire for 12.4 million children, with needs driven by economic hardship, climate-induced shocks, and restrictions on women. As a result, Afghanistan is the biggest appeal in the region and among the top five global appeals by funding requirements for 2025, at US$ 1.2 billion.

Bangladesh is grappling with the dual burden of climate-related disasters and the protracted Rohingya refugee crisis with the country hosting over 1 million refugees in densely populated camps. A total of 3.2 million children in Bangladesh are exposed to the impact of floods, cyclones and the refugee crisis.

In Pakistan, around 24.7 million children are highly vulnerable to climate change, gender inequalities, food insecurity, high malnutrition and political and economic instability. It also ranks fifth globally for climate risks, with extreme weather events such as floods and heatwaves becoming more frequent and destructive.

Working closely with governments, authorities and local partners to anticipate and prepare for recurrent crises throughout the region is also critical, given the scale of the challenges. Nepal is consistently affected by earthquakes, floods and landslides. Bhutan and Nepal remain at high risk of earthquakes due to their location on the Himalayan belt. Intermittent floods and droughts are a threat to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. Maldives is vulnerable to the threats of climate change and sea level rise, as well as economic difficulties.

The humanitarian funding will ensure critical assistance for children and their families to meet their health, nutrition, education, protection, water and sanitation needs.  UNICEF is committed to ensure respect and diversity in its support for girls and boys, including children living with disabilities.

As part of its Humanitarian Action for Children, which sets out the agency’s 2025 appeal, UNICEF plans to reach:

• Afghanistan: 10 million children with life-saving aid and essential services.
• Bangladesh: 2.1 million people, including 529,623 Rohingya refugees, through a multi-sectoral response to address water and sanitation as well as health, nutrition, and education needs. This includes reaching 1.1 million children and caregivers with mental health and psychosocial support.
• Pakistan: 3.5 million children, including 1.4 million children and women at primary health care facilities.