Islamabad, 20 September 2022 (TDI): Dutch water expert, Juan Smulders, who arrived in Pakistan recently, will assist the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Pakistan with the flood relief efforts.
These efforts will be carried out under the Dutch Surge Support (DSS) by Netherlands Enterprise Agency for the next months.
Floods in Pakistan
Flooding has killed almost 1,400 people and displaced over a million in Pakistan, which has swamped roughly one-third of the nation and devastated crops in a country grappling with rising inflation and a balance of payment problem.
Melting glaciers and record torrential rains that started in June submerged more than one-third of the country, causing massive damage to residences, roadways, bridges, rail networks, cattle, and crops.
During the yearly monsoon season, which is critical for agriculture and water supply in Pakistan, severe, often damaging rains fall. However, downpours as powerful as this year’s have rarely been witnessed in decades, and quickly melting glaciers in the north have added pressure to streams for months.
Since the floods in South Asia in 2017, it has caused the most fatalities worldwide and is regarded as the worst flood in the nation’s history.
The terrible floods have also wreaked havoc on Mohenjo Daro, a famous 4,500-year-old archaeological site in the southeastern Sindh province that UNESCO has listed as a World Heritage site.
Due to the flooding, Pakistan proclaimed a state of emergency on August 25.
About the Dutch Surge Support (DSS)
Dutch Surge Support, also referred to as ‘DSS water’ saves lives and improves living circumstances in affected areas.
Experts from the DSS respond swiftly to humanitarian crises. They exchange information on clean water, sanitation, water management, and wastewater management.
Through DSS water, the Netherlands intends to strengthen the worldwide response to water catastrophes. It also strives to increase emergency response understanding.
DSS water was established by the Dutch government in close collaboration with Dutch water corporations and the Dutch Red Cross.
DSS water has a network of Dutch water sector experts. These experts are knowledgeable in many aspects of water. They can respond to calls for emergency assistance from international humanitarian organizations such as UNICEF, UNHCR, WHO, and IOM, after registering. Following that, DSS water and the organization pick a qualified applicant.
This expert pool is managed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, with assistance from the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP).
DSS for the achievement of SDG
DSS water contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Safe drinking water and sanitation (SDG 6)
- Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)
- Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)
Also read: Netherlands on World Water Week
