Thar families deprived of wheat bags announced by govt
Undernourishment has claimed more than 165 lives of children so far
CHACHRO (Dunya News) – More than 2,000 bags of wheat to help relieve Tharparkar’s famine-hit families reportedly are sitting in government’s warehouses when death toll is escalating with every passing day, Dunya News reported Saturday.
Chief Minister (CM) Qaim Ali Shah had announced the provision of wheat bags a week ago however, the administration has not paid heed to the instruction.
Tehsildars of Chachro and Dhali have not transferred the staple diet to families in need.
Government warehouse’s in-charge Abal Jhanji said that tehsildar is only providing challans and not the free wheat.
Still of a stocked warehouse
The Chief Minister had announced the relief package in light of deaths in Tharparkar due to malnourishment. Atleast 81 children are under treatment in Civil hospital Mithi and Chachro Talqa Hospital.
Undernourishment has claimed more than 165 lives of children so far.
Earlier in the week it was reported that Thar locals have started migrating to other areas after running out of fodder for cattle, their only source of income.
Local shows challan given to him, awaits wheat bag
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 per cent.
In 2014, the Sindh government announced establishment of Thar Development Authority to address the problem, however, the draft is still pending for approval.
