Balochistan, the largest yet most neglected province of Pakistan, is battling a silent crisis that threatens its future generations—malnutrition. Despite global advancements in food security and technology, children in Balochistan continue to suffer from severe food insecurity, leading to alarming rates of malnutrition. The crisis is deep-rooted, fueled by droughts, natural disasters, economic instability, and an inadequate healthcare system.
Food insecurity has remained a persistent challenge in Pakistan, with Balochistan suffering the most. According to the Food Security Cluster (FSC), droughts have become a regular occurrence in Pakistan since 2013, particularly impacting Sindh and Balochistan. In 2019, the FSC estimated that nearly five million people in 26 districts of these provinces were affected by drought. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification reported that about 1.3 million people in Sindh alone faced severe (IPC 3) and emergency (IPC 4) levels of food insecurity.
In addition to persistent droughts, extreme weather events such as floods and earthquakes have further deteriorated the situation. A report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed that heavy rains and snowfall in early 2020 affected nearly one million households across the country, including those in Balochistan. The aftermath left thousands without access to food and clean water, exacerbating malnutrition among children.
According to the National Nutrition Survey 2018, nearly 36.9% of Pakistan’s population is facing food insecurity, with the most vulnerable segments—especially women and children—having limited access to food. The situation in Balochistan is even more dire, where nearly 49.6% of children suffer from malnutrition. Every second child in the province is affected, leading to severe health consequences, including stunted growth, weak immune systems, and an increased risk of deadly diseases such as measles.
Medical experts highlight that malnourished children not only lag in development but are also more susceptible to illnesses due to their weakened immunity. The lack of adequate nutrition leads to stunting, a condition that causes irreversible cognitive and physical impairments. These children have lower body weight, diminished energy levels, and often require specialised medical intervention. Despite these alarming statistics, the provincial government has yet to receive adequate funding to address the crisis. Although a nutrition emergency has been in effect in Balochistan since 2018, financial constraints have hindered efforts to combat malnutrition effectively.
In districts such as Naseerabad and Kech, the devastating impact of food insecurity is evident. Entire villages have been submerged in floodwaters, leaving thousands displaced. Among the affected is Jamila Bibi and her family, who lost their home in recent monsoon floods. She recalls the terrifying night when floodwaters surged into their village.
"We heard an announcement in the mosque that the water level was rising. We had no time to gather our belongings; we just ran," Jamila's husband, Noor Mohammad, shared. Now, the family resides in a makeshift camp on the roadside, where conditions are far from safe.
In these camps, stagnant water has become a breeding ground for diseases. Children are forced to drink contaminated water, leading to widespread cases of diarrhea, respiratory infections, and skin diseases. Mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue are on the rise, while venomous snakes and stray dogs pose additional threats.
During a visit to a mobile health unit set up by UNICEF and the Balochistan government, doctors diagnosed Jamila’s youngest son, four-month-old Awais, with severe acute malnutrition. He was immediately provided with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), a life-saving treatment for underweight children.
Shakir Ali, a UNICEF nutrition officer, explains, "Even before the floods, over 50% of children in Balochistan were stunted due to chronic malnutrition. The current situation has worsened their condition, and now they are battling multiple health issues, including malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia."
The root causes of malnutrition in Balochistan are multi-faceted—poverty, climate change, food scarcity, and inadequate health infrastructure. Many households cannot afford nutritious food due to inflation and unemployment. The province has also suffered from an ineffective food distribution system, where surplus crops from other regions fail to reach those in need.
Despite declaring a nutrition emergency, Balochistan’s Nutrition Directorate struggles with financial constraints. Without sufficient funding, large-scale interventions remain stalled. Experts stress the need for immediate policy actions, including:
Balochistan’s malnutrition crisis is not just a humanitarian issue but a national concern. If left unaddressed, it will have long-term consequences on the province’s future generations. Urgent interventions are needed to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry in one of the most resource-rich yet impoverished regions of Pakistan.