Pakistani authorities are sending food and medicines to a southern desert region after a famine triggered by a long of spell of drought killed more than 100 children, officials said on Saturday.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered the military to dispatch teams of medics to the Thar Desert in Sindh province after reports in local media revealed 122 children had died due to malnutrition in the past three months, his office said.
Local residents told Pakistani television channels that most of the victims belong to the impoverished Hindu minority community.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said his provincial government had also sent wheat and medicines to the affected areas.
Food security has been a challenge in Pakistan especially in southern parts of the country.
