UNICEF ramps up emergency response in Pakistan

UNICEF ramps up emergency response as Pakistan flood toll grows

9 August, 2010. – Landslides and continuing heavy rain is worsening the humanitarian situation in Pakistan with the number of people affected reaching as high as 14 million.

Estimates of those affected have jumped significantly in the past few days from just over four million to between 6-14 million people. Millions of children are caught up in the disaster and at increased risk of water-borne diseases and malnutrition.

"Things will probably get worse, before they start getting better", says Martin Mogwanja, who is UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan, as well as heading the UN Children’s Fund country office.

"UNICEF is ramping up its relief operation for the millions of people affected by the flooding.”

The UNICEF relief operation is concentrating on the critical areas of water and sanitation, health, nutrition, education and child protection. The largest part of the operation is the provision of water and sanitation systems to head off the outbreak of diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera, especially deadly to children.

UNICEF is providing clean drinking water to over half a million people and has restored more than 80 tube-wells, benefitting 590,000 people. UNICEF has distributed more than 12,000 family hygiene kits, 11,700 soap bars, and thousands of water purification tablets.

UNICEF has supported the setting up of 24 medical camps, benefitting up to one million people, and has been active in reuniting separated children with their families.

International media are reporting that 650,000 homes have been destroyed and 5,700 square kilometres of agricultural land has been flooded, making this the worst flooding in Pakistan’s history.

Weather forecasts predict further downpours in the badly-affected north-west and the southern area of Sindh. Flood waters and damage to infrastructure are hampering relief assessments and distribution of aid.

As of late last week, UNICEF was appealing for $67.4 million to meet emergency needs over the next three months. This figure is likely to increase. UNICEF aims to obtain emergency supplies locally where possible, although additional emergency items can be brought in as needed through UNICEF’s international network.

Many displaced people are sheltering in schools, whose existing water and toilet facilities are overwhelmed, raising serious health issues. In addition, children will not be able to return to school when the new term starts next week until displaced people living at schools can be relocated.

Mr Mogwanja says the UNICEF appeal also reflects a concern for the longer-term recovery operation in regions where critical infrastructures has been affected and livestock and crops have been wiped out.

People can donate to UNICEF NZ’s Pakistan Emergency Appeal: http://www.unicef.orgnz/PakistanEmergency

ENDS

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