Rising temperatures in Pakistan, environmental crisis, children and the elderly severely affected

Amnesty International has said that children and the elderly are being severely affected by rising temperatures, unpredictable weather, and the environmental crisis in Pakistan, and the health sector is facing pressure. According to the report, recurring floods and severe heat waves are putting a burden on Pakistan’s underfunded health system, resulting in preventable deaths, especially among young children and the elderly. According to the report, Pakistan contributes only one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions annually, but is the fifth most affected country in the world in terms of climate disasters. Officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change have said that the government is taking serious steps to address climate change. Various policies have been introduced for this purpose, including the National Climate Change Policy, National Electric Vehicle Policy, National Forestry Policy, and National Clean Air Policy. Under these policies, tree plantation, upgrading fuel standards to Euro 5 and 6, development of mass transit, promotion of urban forests, and other necessary measures are being taken. Climate change is not just a Pakistani problem but a global concern, and Pakistan is working with the world to address this issue. According to an Amnesty International report, Pakistan’s public health and disaster management systems are failing to meet the needs of vulnerable segments of the population, such as children and the elderly, who are most at risk of death and disease. A new report by Amnesty International has revealed that “unseen deaths” of children and the elderly during climate disasters in Pakistan highlight the failure of the underdeveloped health system. In collaboration with Indus Hospital and Health Network, Amnesty International — a charity providing free medical care in Pakistan — researched how extreme weather events can lead to increased mortality rates. Laura Mills, a researcher with Amnesty International’s Crisis Response Programme, said: “Rising temperatures are leading to more extreme and unpredictable weather. Children and the elderly in Pakistan are on the front lines of the climate crisis, vulnerable to extreme heat and flooding, which are leading to a disproportionate increase in deaths and illnesses.” She added, “Pakistan’s health system is already underfunded and under-resourced even in normal times. In a climate emergency, the pressure becomes unbearable, and the system fails to provide essential medical care to those who need it most.”