INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image:Children speak to the TheIndianSubcontinent about their experiences last yearA prolonged drought in Australia is having a devastating
impact on children and forcing them to "grow up" prematurely, a UN report warns.Large parts of eastern Australia have endured severe drought
for months, crippling farming communities.Children in these areas are resilient but endure a growing psychological toll, said the UN's
children's agency.Many children have "long and stressful" days that involve witnessing strain on their parents and animals, Unicef
said."Workloads for children on and off farms have increased substantially, leaving little time for schoolwork and almost no time for play,
sport or other recreational activities," the agency said in its report.One high school student told researchers: "Before the start of this
year I'd never shot a lamb in my life - and I've done probably about 50 or so this year… it is just normal now." Others
described high levels of stress at home, with one girl saying: "You're walking on eggshells."Unicef released the report on Tuesday after
interviewing children aged five-16 from rural communities in New South Wales, a state that is entirely drought-affected.A lack of quality
time spent with parents and siblingsFears about their future education and job prospectsFeelings of exhaustion The report said that children
had a strong desire to help their families and communities, but often felt powerless."These young people care deeply about and are
abundantly aware of the trauma their parents are going through," said Oliver White from Unicef Australia.Image copyrightUNICEF
AUSTRALIAImage caption
The drought is being felt in numerous rural communities
"At the same time, [they]
are operating with the over-arching attitude that they shouldn't talk about their own psychological reactions and concerns because 'it is
always worse for someone else,'" he said
The agency has called for the Australian government to direct more of its drought-relief funding towards children's programmes.
