Pakistan: Floods destroy nearly 19,000 schools

Contributing less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Save the Children, which has so far helped more than 11,000 people, including 5,800 children, is calling for emergency schools to be set up where children can be safe and learn.

C. Rubini CTC, Vatican News

Thousands of children have not returned to school and 19,000 schools in Pakistan have been damaged by floods, Save the Children said.

At least 18,590 schools were damaged or destroyed in the floods that hit Pakistan. According to preliminary estimates, at least 6,70,000 children are affected. Actually the number may be much higher than this. As entire villages were flooded and the rains continued, books, blackboards, chairs and desks were swept away by thousands of students across the country as they prepared for the start of the school year, according to Save the Children, an international organization that has fought for more than 100 years to save and secure a future for at-risk girls and boys. Schools were completely submerged.

About 16,000 schools have been damaged or destroyed in the worst-hit Sindh province. About 5,500 schools had to be used to house children and families displaced by floods that submerged a third of the country. It affected at least 14% of the population and overburdened emergency services.

From June 2022, Pakistan will experience extreme monsoon weather. That month alone received 67% more rainfall than normal. The government described the situation as a “climate disaster of unimaginable proportions” affecting more than 33 million people, including 11 million children.

About 400 children died and 550 others were injured in the heavy rains and floods that destroyed houses. More than 3,800 adults were injured or lost their lives. “The extent of the devastation we are witnessing will prevent thousands of children from returning to school early. We have seen buildings completely wiped out. Children are in shock and fear of what is happening around them. They have lost their classrooms and safe places to learn. We know from experience that it takes time to repair schools. And many of these children already have COVID “They lost months of education because of -19,” said Khurram Gondal, Country Director of Save the Children in Pakistan.