UN: Pakistan’s floods affect 5 million people

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Torrential monsoon rains have pounded southern Pakistan, triggering serious floods affecting more than 5 million people, among them communities still recovering from last year's extraordinary floods, the United Nations has said.

The disaster has reportedly taken the lives of 199 people, and destroyed or damaged nearly one million houses, and flooded 4.2 million acres of land, prompting the Government of Pakistan to call for support from the United Nations.

The situation for those impacted by recent monsoons and subsequent floods is critical, with thousands of people in need of life-saving assistance due to the lack of food and safe drinking water and the loss of livelihoods and homes.

In response the United Nations and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) undertook a joint field mission to see first hand the devastation and damage caused by fresh flooding.

During the visit the Chairman and the UN Humanitarian Coordinator gained first hand information about the impact of the floods, which has made possible a rapid launch of the relief effort by the United Nations and other humanitarian partners to support the ongoing national relief efforts.

Sindh is by far the worst affected province with torrential rains in the hardest hit areas having led to rainfall exceeding, in a few days, what on average accumulates in an entire monsoon season. The Government reports 22 out of 23 districts of Sindh are covered in floodwater as well as some parts of Balochistan Province.

The humanitarian crisis is growing by the day, with the latest reports indicating that around 200,000 people are displaced and in need of immediate humanitarian assistance. To house the displaced families, the Government to date established 1400 camps across the flood-affected areas in Sindh.

'Seeing first hand today the devastation and vast amount of floodwater in Sindh, now is a crucial time to stand in solidarity with the people of Pakistan, and build on the lessons learned from the recent 2010 floods in response to support the Government of Pakistan in their ongoing monsoon relief efforts,' said Timo Pakkala, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan.

At the request of the Government, the United Nations agencies have started a humanitarian response and launched needs assessments.

Rapid needs assessments are jointly being undertaken in Sindh, the results of which will support the development of a coordinated humanitarian response plan.

Most acute needs are expected in shelter, food security, water, sanitation hygiene and health.

Furthermore, needs assessments and response strategies include nutrition, protection and early recovery including community restoration.

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