Reproductive health crisis amidst a natural disaster in Pakistan: A call to action.

Abstract

In 2022, Pakistan and the South Asian region experienced unprecedented natural disasters. The country was devastated by severe floods caused by unusually high monsoon rains and river overflows. The Pakistani government reported that at least 80 districts nationwide were impacted, leading to the loss of one million homes, over 1000 fatalities, and 1600 injuries. The floods left no one unaffected, but vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and adolescent girls, suffered the most. The United Nations Population Fund estimates that at least 650,000 pregnant women were trapped following the flood crisis, while 73,000 women required urgent obstetric treatment due to impending deliveries. The United Nations Population Fund responded by distributing 7411 newborn baby kits, 8311 menstruation kits, and 6412 clean delivery kits on an emergency basis. In response to the crisis, global leaders convened at the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, committing to enhancing healthcare resilience. These commitments present a critical opportunity for Pakistan to strengthen its reproductive healthcare system, improve disaster preparedness, and integrate climate adaptation policies into its health sector. Furthermore, in October 2022, Pakistan announced its National Adaptation Plan to address climate change and mitigate the impact of future disasters. Given the devastating effects of the floods on maternal and reproductive health, immediate and sustained action is required to fortify Pakistan's healthcare infrastructure, enhance emergency response measures, and ensure reproductive health services are accessible to all affected communities.