The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Monday called for steps to address problems confronting Thar, including those leading to the death of children and those brought forth by a drought in the area.
In a statement issued at the conclusion of an HRCP team’s visit to Tharparkar, the commission said, “Problems of the people of Thar are very complex and the death of children at hospitals or at homes is only one aspect of that. The high mortality among children is a chronic issue that has not occurred due to starvation only but on account of a persistent failure to address a number of factors, including food insecurity, lack of safe drinking water and hygiene and absence of female education and family planning.”
“These have been aggravated by poverty, child marriages, long distances restricting access to emergency maternity and newborn health services, ineffective healthcare structure and an environment of a general resignation to a cruel fate.”The commission said residents of Thar had to contend with absence of a middle class to argue their case.
The team found that one of the basic issues was that the economy and resources of Thar were no longer able to sustain its population. The supply of food has stagnated as demand has risen.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2014.