UN Launches Flash Appeal to Provide Flood Relief in Pakistan
by Iqra Zafar
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Islamabad: In the wake of the alarming situation of floods in Pakistan, the United Nations is all set to launch a flash appeal worth $161 million. Till now, the flood has resulted in 1000 plus casualties and left millions of people homeless.
Pakistan was recently hit by a flood that caused irreparable damage to the country’s economy and left behind millions of flood victims who are looking to be rescued. The monsoon season resulted in unprecedented flash floods and affected a major part of the country. Currently, government and private organizations are providing fluid relief to flood victims. The UN plays its part by launching a flash appeal and still needs $34.28 million to speed up the relief attempts.
Keeping in mind the post-flood scenario that would result in the spread of water-borne diseases and malnutrition, Pakistan is in immediate need of flood relief assistance. In the wake of “climate-change driven catastrophe” UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan Julien Harneis has asked for “burden-sharing and solidarity”.
UN’s flash appeal today as flood aid trickles in - Pakistanhttps://t.co/wtaAB3jayG
— World News QM (@world_News_qm) August 30, 2022
The World Flood Programme (WFP) is also rapidly expanding in Pakistan and providing flood relief to Pakistan by supporting 42000 people in Sinch and five districts of Balochistan. They further aim to expand its flood assistance to 0.5 million people in Balochistan.
As far as global aid is concerned, the United Arab Emirates started an air bridge to transport aid in Pakistan consisting of food, shelter and medical aid. They also reached out to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and addressing this Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “UAE has pledged 20 aircraft sorties flood relief equipment to assist the flood victims across Pakistan.”
Japan also provided emergency flood relief containing tents and other plastic items through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which we expect to arrive today. Further, German Consul General Holger Ziegeler and Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP) CEO Dr Shahnawaz Khan signed a project that will ensure two months of food supply to 1000 families in Lasbela.
Singapore Red Cross (SRC) will provide $50,000 to help flood victims through the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and other organizations. Currently, PRCS is helping people in 23 flood-hit districts.
Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) issued Rs250 million to provide immediate flood relief. This will include medical aid, food, shelter, hygiene kits etc. Other than this, Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) will distribute Rs 8.88 billion among flood victims BISP Emergency Flood Relief Cash Assistance Programme.
Other than this, the PTCL group also announced a flood relief package worth Rs1.75 billion package while Ufone let people make free calls in flood-affected areas.
