UN Continues to Support Pakistan Flood Response
The United Nations (UN) continues to support the ongoing Pakistan flood response. In a press statement on the 11th of August 2020, the UN said it had provided $8.2 million to support the current operation efforts in Pakistan. In the statement, the UN said these funds would enable the government to provide emergency health care and basic services, bolster food security and nutrition, and support camp coordination and camp management for vulnerable communities.
The flooding in Pakistan began in late July growing out of the remnants of a tropical depression, causing death and destruction in 13 of the country’s provinces, as well as its capital, Islamabad. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), initially the flooding was caused by Cyclone Nextah, but then was further exacerbated by heavy rainfall across the south of the country.
The Pakistani government reports that the flooding has affected as many as 10 million people, leading to over 370 deaths, displacing over 1 million people, and damaging more than 600,000 dwellings. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has estimated that the cost of the flooding to the Pakistani government and people could total around $2 billion.
UN Response
The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) is coordinating United Nations agencies’ overall humanitarian response in close collaboration with the Pakistan government and national and international non-governmental organizations.
The UN has released $8.2 million to kickstart the response to the floods in Pakistan, which support the government to provide emergency healthcare and basic services, as well as mitigate the food insecurity and nutrition consequences of the crisis.
The breakdown of the $8.2 million funds are as follows:
• Health: $1.6 million
• Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM): $6 million
• Food Security and Nutrition: $500,000
• Relief, Early Recovery, and Transition (RERT): $143,166 (RERT funds are also used to respond to other sectoral needs in the immediate relief phase, such as shelter)
In addition, the UN and its partners are scaling-up the provision of essential household items and nutritional support to those in urgent need.
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Support
Providing clean drinking water and solving sanitary issues are vital in fighting disease, promoting health and preventing further loss of life.
The multisector UN aid has been distributed to the following areas:
• Repair and improvement of water supply and sanitation systems
• Distribution of water tanks, pipes and pumps
• Installation and upgrading of water infiltration systems
• Distribution of water purification tablets and hand washing kits
• Maintenance of latrine and shower facilities
Protection and Shelter Assistance
In the event of natural disasters, ensuring the safety and well-being of the affected population is of the utmost importance. To this end, the UN is working on providing the following support related to protection, shelter and camp management.
• Provision of family tents, mosquito nets and blankets
• Provision of dignity kits, including sanitation and hygiene items
• Construction and maintenance of camps for displaced persons
• Provision of camp coordination and camp management assistance
• Provision of legal assistance and registration of victims
Food Security and Livelihood
Provinding access to food and helping revive the livelihoods of those affected by the flood are essential elements of the UN emergency response.
• Crop and livestock assessments and monitoring
• Cash transfers and distribution of food items, as well as emergency seed and animal feed
• Distribution of agricultural and aquaculture inputs
• Registration of families and individuals affected by the floods
• Establishment of improved early warning and weather forecasting systems
The ongoing response in the wake of the floods in Pakistan has seen numerous international organizations, including the United Nations and its partners, come together to provide relief and assistance to the affected population. The UN’s $8.2 million aid program has primarily focused on providing emergency healthcare and basic services, bolstering food security/nutrition and providing camp coordination and camp management for the displaced. All in all, the UN and its partners are determined to work to the best of their abilities to support the people of Pakistan and help put an end to the trying period of the floods.
