The report reveals in 2022 that climate change-induced floods swept through the northern and southern parts of Pakistan, severely damaging approximately 27,000 government school buildings and disrupting the education of around 2 million children—52% of whom were in Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province. The study highlights that nearly half of Pakistan’s children remained out of school in 2024, as more than 26 million children faced education interruptions due to toxic smog in the city of Lahore and other parts of Punjab. Meanwhile, in Sindh, extreme heat waves, peaking at a record 49°C, led to the closure of 100,000 schools, further exacerbating the crisis. The study also explains how loss of education, homes and livelihood pushed a number of children into displacement camps and into poverty. Moreover, the study finds that flood-stricken families who struggled with poverty and destitution resorted to marrying off their underage daughters in exchange for money. This trend of “monsoon brides” notably increased in areas encountering the worst effects of the monsoon floods such as the Dadu District in Sindh. Although several policy frameworks and legislations on climate change have been enacted at the national and provincial levels, they do not specifically address the needs of children.
The study provides key recommendations to policymakers, government departments, and other relevant stakeholders to combat climate change in Pakistan through the formulation of robust strategies and to invest in children’s well-being which is not only vital for their future but also essential for sustainable development and intergenerational equity.
Click here to read the full report: The Impact of Climate Change on Children in Pakistan
