Thousands of children in the flood-affected areas of Sindh, who are without formal or non-formal education, have become prone to security and welfare issues on a daily basis, says an assessment report of a Karachi-based children rights NGO.

“The current situation should be taken as a serious concern because the major focus being given on the relief and immediate rehabilitation activities of the flood victims has compromised the security and safety of children,” said Muhammad Ali, President of the Roshni Helpline. “Since these children do not have any activity to keep them engaged, their vulnerability to security risks has multiplied manifold.” According to Roshni Helpline’s findings, around 1,200 children of different age groups, from five to 18, at the Kemari IDPs’ Village have missed out on proper schooling since last year’s deluge.

Previously, the organisation, in collaboration with an Islamabad-based NGO, had been running Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) at the Kemari camp for about a year, but since its closure no one has offered either formal or non-formal educational services to the displaced children.

Also, almost all the children who were affected by last year’s floods and are still living in camps are deprived of proper education. Some NGOs have been running non-formal educational services for them. After the latest floods, a large number of children have lost two years of their education.

Meanwhile, the schools which were not damaged by the flood waters are now being used as shelter by the flood-affected people. “The furniture is being used as fuel for fire and other infrastructure of these schools has been completely damaged by these refugees, and there is no chance that these schools could be used for education purpose without complete reconstruction,” Ali said. He added that it was high time for NGOs, and especially the education department to save children’s facilities from destruction. He said the Roshni Helpline was continuously monitoring the situation.The news.