UNICEF Chief Appeals to Shore Up Humanitarian Aid For Pak’ Flood Affectees

Islamabad: The agency is seeking $173.5 million to provide humanitarian assistance to flood victims in post-disaster relief efforts. Only 15 per cent of the total pledged funds for the UN’s flash appeal has been received globally,” said United Nations International Fund for Children in Emergency (UNICEF) Regional Director for South Asia George Laryea-Adjei on Sunday.

He recently visited the flood affected districts of Sindh and Balochistan and said, “Some 84 districts are to face immense challenges due to disasters. A total of $173.5 million is needed; of which$34.6 million was required for nutrition, $35 million for health, $58 million for wash, $11 million for child protection, $23 million for education, and $11 million for emergency preparedness.”

As many as 9.6 million children require humanitarian assistance and 23,000 schools have been damaged or destroyed as a result of floods.

The Regional Director noted two enormous difficulties that the government ought to solve while he mentioned about the difficulties faced in post-disaster relief and rehabilitation activities.

“The first is the community in are as that is prepared to go back to its wrecked homes once the floodwaters subside; where there is no food, cattle are lost, there is a significant disruption to education, crops could be inundated, and water supplies may be contaminated.”

“We must support these communities. Instead of building temporary facilities, an alternative may be devised, like a tent school,” he added.

He emphasized that the second major challenge is the rehabilitation of the affected population to return to their native areas. “We will require a long-term and short-term strategy that addresses how to build up stockpiles of essential communities, and expandBenazir Income Support Programme(BISP).”

“We must find resources to provide nutrition and medical facilities to the affected people,” Regional Director added.

The disaster’s aftereffects are widespread and include waterborne infections that are harming farms, schools and the general public.

UNICEF Chief issued a warning that malaria was spreading and that, in order to prevent epidemics, treatment should be intensified in the affected areas.

“We keep testing the water and ensuring that it is safe to drink for the locals in flood-affected areas. These actions need to be expanded upon and continued.”

“We are assisting the provision of water filters and other water purification solutions. It is possible to install hand pumps and drillborewells in some areas. Options can be very scarce in some circumstances.” George Laryea-Adjei informed.

Government has released its stock of bed nets, insecticides and other items, whereas UNICEF is also bringing tens of thousands of nets as well.

He anticipated cholera, malaria and dengue outbreaks in the affected areas.

“The entire community is being impacted by this natural disaster. Only 15 per cent of the total pledged funds for the UN’s flash appeal has been received globally. We shall make a plea to funders to heed the UN’s demand. Otherwise we are going to lose more people.”

The UNICEF Regional Director emphasised that the Fund has raised $40 million for managing humanitarian aid, therapeutic food, educational materials, water stations and tents, and setting up toilets. APP