Vulnerable communities are hit hardest by climate-linked disasters and remain exposed long after the headlines fade. In Pakistan, deaths recorded immediately after major disasters receive attention, while the far greater toll in the months that follow goes largely unacknowledged.

Pakistan's healthcare system is chronically underfunded and overstretched, struggling to provide basic care even in ordinary times. Recurrent climate-fueled emergencies, including heat waves, droughts and floods, are pushing this fragile system to the brink. Waterborne diseases, extreme heat and disrupted medical services create a deadly combination for those already most at risk.

A report by Amnesty International and the Indus Hospital and Health Network highlights the hidden toll of climate change using 2022 data from Badin, Muzaffargarh and Rahim Yar Khan. It shows a surge in deaths among the elderly and children under five after extreme weather events.........

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