Women and children in Pakistan require urgent support due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, an ongoing nutrition emergency, and recurrent disasters. There are now more than 0.5 million confirmed cases of Coronavirus.
In its response to COVID-19, MMBT is prioritizing prevention and supporting Pregnant Mothers and Children continuity by providing life-saving surgeries, child health care, and nutrition packages to the children. Also, MMBT is providing timely/accurate information; promoting behaviors that reduce risk and limit transmission; facilitating infection prevention and control; supporting learning continuity; providing psychosocial support; and working to prevent stigma.
MMBT is also responding to the chronic nutrition emergency with curative and preventive life-saving services, including community management of acute malnutrition; maternal, infant, and young child health; and infant and young child feeding services.
According to the modeling, and assuming reductions in coverage in the worst-case scenario, Pakistan is amongst those 10 countries that could potentially have the largest number of additional child deaths.
Pakistan is most likely to witness the highest excess child mortality rates under the worst-case scenario.