Attachments
Highlights
· Pakistan continues responding to the needs of most vulnerable women and children in high-risk districts, including ongoing support to marginalized Afghans and host communities.
· In high-risk districts, 21,792 children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (12,065 girls and 9,726 boys) were enrolled for treatment in UNICEF-supported centres.
· Through UNICEF-supported health facilities, 165,190 people benefitted from PHC services and 21,201 women received antenatal care under humanitarian and refugee programming.
· A total of 38,709 children supported to continue learning in safe and protective environment, 38,546 people gained access to safe drinking water.
· UNICEF supported 9,487 children and caregivers through mental health and psychosocial support and reached 79,756 women and children with interventions to prevent, mitigate, and respond to gender-based violence. Under winterization, 4000 blankets and 2800 warm clothing were provided for children in KP and Balochistan provinces.
· A funding gap of US$116,790,637 (83%) remains, threatening ability of priority needs of children, women, vulnerable communities and Afghans in Pakistan.
[...]
SITUATION OVERVIEW AND HUMANITARIAN NEEDS
Pakistan faces complex humanitarian situations characterized by recurrent floods, heat waves, droughts, public health emergencies and earthquakes, social unrest, as well as an ongoing nutrition crisis. The country hosts one of the largest refugee populations globally, predominantly from Afghanistan. Economic challenges and limited access to basic services like healthcare, water, and sanitation exacerbate the vulnerabilities of millions. Humanitarian needs are immense, with millions requiring urgent assistance and protection.
During the first half of the year, Pakistan continued to face floods, heatwaves droughts, social unrest and UNICEF continues to engage to prepare and respond to most urgent needs. In addition social unrest and enforced Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP) added cross border dimensions to address needs in basic services like healthcare, nutrition, water and sanitation as well as CP, education. UNICEF continued to support children and caregivers in the reporting period.
The Shia-Sunni conflict in District Kurram (of KP province) has been a longstanding issue, marked by frequent sectarian violence. Following consecutive attacks on convoys in Lower Kurram in January 2025, the Government launched a military operation in the area. The current situation in Kurram has improved, with sectarian clashes diminished and the government has re-established its writ. Local residents displaced during the clashes and Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) in February-March 2025 have now returned to their areas of origin and begun the rehabilitation activities, and are actively participating in the government's reconstruction process in their respective villages. However, a trust deficit persists among local communities.
Many parts of Pakistan particularly the northern region, including parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan Administered Kashmir are exposed to extreme cold winters/snowfall season. The temperatures go well below freezing point adding to the vulnerabilites of those who are impacted by recurring disasters.
On May 7th, India launched strikes on Pakistan, following a terrorist attack in Indian Administered Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. This began a four-day conflict between India and Pakistan from May 7-10, which became the most serious military crisis in decades between the two nuclear states. While direct hostilities have stopped, continued tensions remain.
Pakistan has been experiencing increasing episodes of heatwaves each year, with maximum temperatures exceeding 45°C in June. High nighttime temperatures exacerbated heat-related stress, especially in urban areas like Karachi, Lahore, and Multan. The intense heat severely impacted vulnerable communities already facing poverty and energy shortages. The early and extreme onset of summer, marked by record-breaking heat in cities like Jacobabad and Turbat, signals a troubling shift in climate patterns, as confirmed by the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s (PMD) report of temperatures 5–7°C above seasonal norms. Moreover, the significant increase in mean daily temperatures could lead to increased risk of drought-like conditions (if the pattern continues and if sufficient rains are not received in the drought-prone districts of the country post monsoon season).
Monsoon season this year started from 26th June and is expected to extend until 15th September. Within the first five days of this spell, NDMA on 30th June reported 57 deaths including 28 of children, 99 people got injured including 39 children, 122 houses damaged (of which 55 fully) across the country.
As of 30th June, there are 1,362,800 registered Afghan Refugees in Pakistan, which strains already limited resources and services. The Afghan Refugees repatriated from January to June 2025 were 18,806. The Ministry of Interior's (MoI) decision of 26 September 2023 to enact an “Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan”, leading to a response to which UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and IOM, the UN Migration Agency, collate data on the arrest, detention, and deportation of Proof of Registration (PoR) holders, Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, and undocumented Afghan nationals as well as on the outflows of Afghan nationals.
Overall priority humanitarian needs include access to nutrition, healthcare, water, sanitation, education, and protection services. For women and girls, there is an emphasis on protection from gender-based violence and access to reproductive health services. Children need nutrition support, education, and psychosocial care. Vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and people with disabilities, require tailored assistance to ensure their safety and inclusion. UNICEF remains committed to reaching the most vulnerable and at-risk children, including those in emergency-prone or affected areas and internationally displaced children.