ISLAMABAD: The international community has stepped up flood relief assistance to Pakistan as it struggles to cope with the aftermath of torrential rains that have triggered massive floods, killing more than 900 people, according to government data.
July’s national rainfall was almost 200 percent above average, Sardar Sarfaraz, a senior official at the metrological office told media on Wednesday, making it the wettest July since 1961. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 326 children and 191 women are among the 903 people killed since the onset of the monsoon season in mid-June.
Much of the devastation has taken place in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province and Sindh, where 230 and 293 people have died respectively.
Climate minister Sherry Rehman on Wednesday urged the international partner to mobilize assistance to help Pakistan cope with rains and flash floods.
The UN team in Pakistan said it was boosting support to Pakistani authorities in the most flood-affected provinces of Balochistan and Sindh.
“To date, the UN team has mobilized $7 million to respond to the floods and has provided 1,100 metric tons of food rations, therapeutic feed and nutritional supplements,” a spokeswoman for the UN said at a briefing on Wednesday. “It also provided medicine, water purification tablets, tents, mosquito nets, blankets, soaps, hygiene and dignity kits, new-born baby kits, tarpaulins and other goods.”
Following a rapid assessment, a response plan was being finalized, the spokeswoman said, to coordinate the joint response and call for further resources, including from the Central Emergency Response Fund.
Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia’s KSRelief sent 100 emergency relief trucks, carrying 950 tons of food items to 17 flood-ravaged districts of Pakistan. The consignment, the third from the aid agency since the monsoons began, included 10,000 food packages.
“More than 70,000 people will benefit from this emergency relief,” Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki said at a ceremony in Islamabad, early this before the goods were dispatched.
China has also said it will dispatch emergency humanitarian supplies.
“China has noted the severe floods raging across Pakistan and the heavy casualties and loss of property ensued. We express sincere condolences to the victims, and our hearts go out to the bereaved families, the injured and those in the stricken areas,” a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said.
The European Union has granted €350,000 (Rs76 million) to provide crucial humanitarian assistance to families affected by severe flooding, it said on Monday, saying it would address the urgent needs of those most affected in some of the hardest-hit districts of Jhal Magsi and Lasbella in Balochistan.
“The devastating floods have left a trail of destruction in Pakistan, causing many to suffer the loss of their homes, livelihoods, and belongings,” said Taheeni Thammannagoda, who oversees the EU’s humanitarian programs in Pakistan. “The EU funding will help get vital assistance to the most vulnerable people to support them during this hard time.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also last week announced the US was providing $100,000 to Pakistan.
