The United Nations has appealed for $160 million to help tens of millions of people affected by the “epochal” disaster, as torrential rains and flooding have submerged a third of Pakistan.
On Tuesday, Jens Laerke, spokesperson of the UN humanitarian coordination office, OCHA, highlighted that approximately 33 million people had been adversely affected by the “worst flooding in decades” that has claimed over a thousand lives since mid-June.
According to him, 500000 people displaced by the floods “are sheltering in relief camps… nearly one million homes have been damaged, and over 700,000 livestock have been lost.”
In the quarter through August of this year, the country received approximately 190 percent more rainfall than the 30-year average. Torrential rain has triggered flash floods that have swept down the northern mountains, crumbling buildings and bridges and washing away crops and roads. (REUTERS)
Initial government estimates indicate that the floods caused $10 billion in economic damage.
“Pakistan is awash in suffering,” the UN chief, Antonio Guterres, said on Tuesday in a video message to launch the six-month appeal in Islamabad and Geneva.
The Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids. More than 1000 people have been killed – with millions more lives shattered.
This colossal crisis requires urgent, collective action to help the Government & people of Pakistan in their hour of need. pic.twitter.com/aVFFy4Irwa
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 30, 2022
“Pakistani people are facing a monsoon on steroids—the relentless impact of epochal levels of rain and floods,” he added.
On Monday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it had approved a long-awaited $1.2 billion loan for the country. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced an appeal aimed at providing food, water, sanitation, emergency education, and health support to 5.2 million people.
Furthermore, the chief again cautioned that floods signal a rapidly changing climate, and the world must “stop sleepwalking toward the destruction of our planet by climate change.”
“Today, it’s Pakistan. Tomorrow, it could be your country.”
Christian Lindmeier, the spokesperson for the World Health Organization (WHO), stated that health facilities in the country had been adversely affected by the flooding, with 180 “completely damaged.”
The Spokesperson further cautioned: “at least 888 health facilities have been severely affected… 180 of which are completely damaged at this point.”