This vulnerability will continue when families return home, as health and sanitation facilities are likely to have been damaged and destroyed. SCF is supporting local health services in host communities by providing paediatric medicines, heating oil and other supplies. Health education among the displaced community is also being carried out. Parts of Kashmir are amongst the coldest places on earth. In winter, temperatures can drop to minus 60 degrees.
Children are particularly vulnerable to cold.
Many families lost clothes and blankets during the displacement. SCF is providing warm undergarments, socks and hats to 8.000 displaced children and shoes to 6,000 children to help them get through the long winter. The displaced families come from traditionally marginalised and neglected areas of Leh and Kargil. Before the conflict, many Children s Committees for Village Development were also set up, and these will be re-started. These will ensure that children s needs and rights are taken into account during relief and rehabilitation activites.