(Aug.18,2010) Efforts by the United Nations agencies, to scale up aid delivery to
those affected by the massive floods in Pakistan, continued on Tuesday, despite enormous
logistical challenges posed by the devastated infrastructure, that has left many areas
accessible only by air, after roads and bridges were destroyed by the floods. “We
are putting the final pieces in place on a distribution system, which can reach the
huge number of people in need in the shortest possible time,” said Wolfgang Herbinger,
the country director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Pakistan. “It’s a huge
challenge, particularly in Sindh province, where the delivery infrastructure is most
constrained. We have assessments completed in most of the country, and we have NGO
partners to do the distributions, thus, at least for now a steady supply of food
is leaving our warehouses,” Herbinger added. The agency expects food distributions
to have reached 1 million people with a one-month food ration by Tuesday. At least
6 million people are estimated to be in need of assistance, with the Red Crescent
Society, Government departments, local authorities, businesses and private individuals,
all working together with WFP to fill the food gap. WFP has so far received just
over $30 million of the $150 million it needs for its operation in Pakistan in the
next three months. Herbinger said “We are making a very urgent and direct appeal to
the international community to redouble their support to our efforts to assist the
people of Pakistan”.