ISLAMABAD: The Unicef has called for urgent and greater efforts to reduce air pollution and protect children’s health, as over 11 million children under five years of age are exposed to this smog in the worst affected districts in Punjab.

“As smog continues to persist in Punjab province, I am extremely concerned about the well-being of young children who are forced to breathe polluted, toxic air,” Unicef Representative in Pakistan Abdullah Fadil said in a statement issued here on Monday.

Air pollution levels broke records in Lahore and Multan this past week with air pollution clocking in at over 100 times the World Health Organisation’s air quality guidelines. Hundreds have been hospitalised including dozens of children, and the air pollution is so severe it is now visible from space.

“Prior to these record-breaking levels of air pollution, about 12 per cent of deaths in children under five in Pakistan were due to air pollution. The impact of this year’s extraordinary smog will take time to assess but we know that doubling and tripling the amount of pollution in the air will have devastating effects, particularly on children and pregnant women.

Over 11 million children under five years of age are exposed to smog in worst-affected districts

The Unicef official said: “Young children are most affected by air pollution because they have smaller lungs and lack the immunities that come with age. They also breathe twice as fast as adults and take in more air, often through the mouth, along with pollutants, leading to life-threatening respiratory diseases.

“The potential impact of air pollutants can be extreme on babies’ developing lungs and brains. Breathing in particulate air pollution can damage brain tissue and undermine cognitive development — with lifelong implications and setbacks. When pregnant women are exposed to polluted air, they are more likely to give birth prematurely, face respiratory issues, and their babies may have a low birth weight.

“In addition, schools in smog-affected areas have been closed until mid-November to protect children from the harmful effects of the polluted air. As a result, the learning of almost 16 million children in Punjab has been disrupted. Pakistan, already in the grips of an education emergency with 26.2 million children out of school, cannot afford more learning losses.

“Every child has the right to clean air. Children’s health and right to an education must be protected. Unicef calls on the Government of Pakistan to fulfill these rights for every child.

“Unicef is supporting awareness measures as part of the Government of Punjab’s official plan to reduce the smog. Our response includes outreach with journalists and the public on air pollution prevention measures. We are also advocating and working with government departments to reduce emissions, deploying strategies such as transitioning to renewable energy.

“Reducing emissions from agricultural and industrial activities and encouraging clean and sustainable energy and transportation initiatives are no longer just climate change mitigation strategies, they are critical to protect children’s health today. We request authorities to immediately increase enforcement of existing regulations and further strengthen emissions regulations for longer-term protection.

“The COP29 provides a real opportunity for governments to transform words into climate action before it’s too late. We cannot afford to let our babies breathe toxic air. We cannot let the health, education and well-being of millions of children suffer. For the sake of our children and their future, we must take urgent action today,” the Unicef official said.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2024