ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP): At least four more children lost their lives
in the drought-hit Thar Desert on Thursday, raising the death toll to 172 in 49 days while more than 250 children have been admitted to several hospitals of the district for treatment.
Two children died at Civil Hospital Mithi, while two others lost lives
in Nagarparkar and its adjoining area, private news channel reported.
The deceased included an eight-month-old Yaqoob, one-year-old Sunita
and two infants.
On the other hand, two children have been shifted to Hyderabad in
critical condition.
Meanwhile, Malnourished families have started migrating to Badin and
other areas as Tharparkar no longer has fodder for their cattle.
The locals are migrating to Thar’s adjoining areas for fodder and
due to Sindh government’s inadequate measures.
Tharparkar is a home to more than 60 lac cattle which provide source
of income to residents. However, locals have started migrating to other areas as fodder for their cattle is all consumed before the expected time.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, if the
Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate among children and women is above 15 percent, it is to be considered an emergency situation.
During the National Nutrition Survey conducted in 2011, the GAM rate
in the province of Sindh is 17.5 per cent and the Severely Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is 6.6 percent.