The crisis no one sees: How climate change is rewriting childhood in Pakistan

Protecting children is not just limited to the provision of food, shelter, and education; it is also about ensuring their mental and emotional well-being.

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For many children across Sindh, Balochistan, Southern Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, floods do not end when the waters recede; they simply move inward. This boy’s trauma is not an isolated case; in fact, it shows a much larger, growing crisis.

Based on interviews conducted with parents in Sindh following the 2022 floods, approximately 70 per cent of participants reported that their children exhibited depressive symptoms linked to the fear of floods. Although the study provides valuable insights, research on the mental health impacts of climate-related disasters on children in Pakistan remains limited.

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Pakistan’s social protection system comprises initiatives such as the Benazir Income Support Programme and the Benazir Nashonuma Programme, which primarily focus on income transfers, food security, and infrastructure support during and after emergencies.

They are vital lifelines for many families. But rarely do these programmes include mental health screening, counselling or community-based trauma support.

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