The UN Refugee Agency UNHCR has revealed that close to 33 million people have been affected by the weeks-long torrential monsoon rains and flooding in vast areas, killing 1,100 people, injuring nearly 1,600 and bringing devastation not seen in decades to Pakistani people.
UNHCR Spokesperson, Matthew Saltmarsh made this known at the Press Briefing in Geneva on Friday while the Agency scaled up response in mobilizing resources and staff to assist Pakistan to support local communities and refugees in areas devastated by the catastrophic floods.
According to the Spokesperson, “Our staff in the country report that the scale of the devastation that people face is unimaginable. Many are living under the open skies, waiting for help as the local authorities and the humanitarian community rush to reach more people. Others are cramming into relief camps or staying with hosts”.
Working with Pakistan’s disaster management authorities, UNHCR has quickly released thousands of tents, as well as blankets, plastic sheets, buckets and other household items in badly affected Khyber Pakhtunkwa and Balochistan provinces, where the Agency have distributed 10,000 tents and other aid items.
“Relief is also being rushed to flood hit areas in southern Sindh province. We plan to assist some 50,000 households in the worst affected areas with over a million relief items”.
UNHCR further revealed that nearly 300,000 houses have completely destroyed and more than 650,000 have been damaged by rains and floods. “Livelihoods have been decimated as crops have been devastated with 2 million acres have adversely impacted and 735,000 livestock have perished.
“The monsoon rains and glacial melt have also damaged communications infrastructure and road networks”.
While affected people told UNHCR staff about their traumatic and scarring experiences as rain and flood waters swept away their possessions in minutes.
“Those who could, rushed to safety on higher ground without being able to rescue belongings. Shelter, clean drinking water and food are among the most urgently needed items in the aftermath of the floods.
As part of UN humanitarian efforts, UNHCR conducted rapid needs assessments, which are led by the Government with UN support. “We are mobilizing female national staff to ensure there is support for women and children among the flood affected populations.
According to UNHCR, “Pakistan and its people have hosted millions of Afghan refugees for over four decades, with some 1.3 million currently registered in the country. UNHCR’s assistance is a sign of solidarity with the country and its people.
More than 420,000 Afghan refugees live side by side with their generous host communities in the worst affected areas in Pakistan, including in tprovinces of Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkwa”.
UNHCR disclosed that it has deployed existing stocks in the country, originally meant for the Afghan refugee and host community operations, also moving further relief items from the regional stockpiles in Termez, Uzbekistan and looking at other options.
“Relief items are being provided to Pakistan’s disaster management authorities for coordinated distribution. Although the outcome of Tuesday’s funding appeal was very encouraging, much more needs to be done to help Pakistan to overcome this catastrophe”.