Islamabad, 6 September 2022 (TDI): WaterAid declared the most recent climate disaster in the form of floods needs to be viewed as a warning sign for the entire world with only two months until.
Moreover, it also viewed that Pakistan cannot be the victim of the world’s inability to handle the climate crisis for much longer. This has been shared in a tweet by one of the WaterAid workers, Dan Jones.
“With two months to #COP27 this latest climate tragedy needs to be taken as a wakeup call to the world. #Pakistan cannot continue to be at the receiving end of the world’s inability to address the #climatecrisis” – @zuzuajk @WaterAidpk #ClimateJusticeNow https://t.co/i9WtMN50MW
— Dan Jones (@danrodmanjones) September 6, 2022
According to the assistance organization that specializes in clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, wealthier governments must provide aid to millions of relocated Pakistanis in order for them to have access to necessities like food, housing, and clean water.
Adding to that, the association stated that with COP27 just two months away, developed countries must start delivering on their promises to at least double the financial support for mitigation actions for disadvantaged communities in developing countries.
Remarks of Country Director of WaterAid in Pakistan
Apart from that, the Country Director of WaterAid in Pakistan, Arif Jabbar Khan said, “Pakistan is facing only the beginning of another wave of health-related crisis as people are basically forced to drink contaminated water from open sources. This has already resulted in thousands of cases of diarrhea, skin, and other diseases. The number of malaria cases is rising so fast that in one district, health officials said they have run out of capacity to even test for the disease due to the number of patients let alone treating them.”
Moving ahead he also added that, “We have had extreme heatwaves directly followed by extreme flooding. This is climate blow upon blow. In the past week the floods have kicked off a public health emergency and a displacement emergency.
With two months to COP27 this latest climate tragedy needs to be taken as a wakeup call to the world. Pakistan cannot continue to be at the receiving end of the world’s inability to address the climate crisis, the world must take action now.”
Besides this, in one of the worst-affected regions, Sindh, almost 90,000 cases of diarrhea were reported in the previous day.
Additionally, 1080 medical institutions in Sindh province alone have been damaged, impeding medical operations and the capacity to treat disease-affected people.
Khan further said, “Diseases usually start spreading a few days after waters have receded. Whatever water is left behind is contaminated and people start drinking again from the previously clean water sources which are now dirty. This is spreading the risk of cholera and diarrhea. That’s why it is vital we clean those waterpoints as soon as possible.”
WaterAid: Efforts
WaterAid has worked in increasing its reaction. It has allocated £500,000 to the relief effort.
Aside from that, WaterAid has started a fundraising campaign in the United Kingdom to help fund the provision of hygiene kits with soap and other household items.
Furthermore, the sanitization of water sources used for drinking, and the construction of temporary restrooms in schools and camps are also requested by WaterAid.
Lastly, assistance in the removal of floodwater, and support for the unique needs of women in the flood-affected areas, like the provision of menstrual hygiene kits are also announced to be provided for the affected people.
