Global warming : Climate change a threat for Chitral’s women

The threat of climate change grows tenfold for pregnant women in Chitral Valley during the summer when the area experiences rises in temperature. The residents of Upper Chitral and Lower Chitral, who live in slums nears glaciers, and pregnant women in particular are at aconstant risk due to glacial lake outburst flood, which is the sudden release of water from a lake fed by glacier melt that has formed at the side, in front, within, beneath, or on the surface of a glacier. Merajuddin, who is the General Manager of the Aga Khan Foundation Health and Care in Pakistan, said that there are about 2,000 births a year in these areas. “In areas where government agencies do not have access, 34 health facilities are being provided. Our Lady Health Workers (LHW) for Pregnant Women are already present in these areas in December, January and February when there is continuous heavy snowfall and roads are closed in glacier areas,” he said.