Islamabad, 26 August 2022 (TDI): The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has provided $3 million to UN agencies and partners in Pakistan, amid recent floods in the country.
In flood-affected communities, the financial aid will be used to provide services for health, nutrition, food security, water, and sanitation, with a focus on the most vulnerable.
🚨🇵🇰 @UNCERF allocates US$3M to UN agencies & partners in #Pakistan to respond to #floods.
🆘Funding will be used for health, nutrition, food security, and water and sanitation services in flood-affected areas, focusing on the most vulnerable.
▶️https://t.co/GhURSc69sF pic.twitter.com/ZIFkdJF4pV
— UN OCHA Asia Pacific (@OCHAAsiaPac) August 26, 2022
In addition, the UN’s total humanitarian aid for the flood response in Pakistan will now reach US$7 million attributable to this $3 million UN CERF contribution.
The ongoing assistance by UN agencies includes medical supplies and services by WHO, safe water and nutrition by UNICEF, support for maternal health by UNFPA, food assistance by WFP, vaccination of livestock by FAO, and shelter for refugees by UNHCR.
According to international estimates, more than 2 million people have been rendered homeless (mostly in Balochistan and Sindh), over 3 lac homes have been destroyed, and more than 500,000 heads of livestock have perished.
Also read: China provides assistance to Pakistan following floods
Dire Humanitarian Crisis
The country has experienced widespread destruction as a result of the floods. Millions of children, women, and men have been affected since mid-June, and over a thousand lives have been lost.
Moreover, people have also lost their homes, livestock, and crops that were ready for harvest, which was their sole sources of income. The nation’s infrastructure as a whole has been severely damaged, with considerable damage to buildings, bridges, and roads.
The government is organizing cash aid programs, performing search and rescue efforts, and distributing relief goods. Also, UNICEF and non-governmental groups have collaborated with the government to offer assistance.
We are delivering safe drinking water to children and families in #Balochistan, like here in Muche Mulla Got village in the district of #Lasbela.@UNICEF supports relief efforts after torrential rains and floods caused widespread destruction across Balochistan.@UNCERF pic.twitter.com/xZvyllm2ee
— UNICEF Pakistan (@UNICEF_Pakistan) August 25, 2022
Furthermore, the challenges are compounded by the fact that the ongoing devastation has affected all provinces, with Balochistan being the worst-hit province on a population-adjusted basis.
Earlier this week, the Federal Government also decided that it would issue an international appeal, as the challenges caused by floods would be too great for the public sector’s budgetary capacity to handle.
