Pakistan’s flood-affected people in need of more assistance, says UN official
(December 04, 2010) The United Nations humanitarian chief on Friday visited the flood-ravaged
area of Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh to review relief efforts among people
still suffering from the effects of the deluge that cut a swathe across the country
four months ago following torrential rainfall. Valerie Amos, the Under-Secretary-General
for Humanitarian Affairs during her visit confirmed that this disaster is far from
over. Millions of people in Pakistan are still living without basic necessities after
their homes and sources of livelihood were washed away or damaged by the floods that
swamped several provinces along the Indus River basin following heavy monsoon rains
that began in July. “A lot has been done, but there is much more to do,” said Ms.
Amos, who is also the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator. “Four months on, there are
still long lines of tents along dykes and dams. Even the strongest are growing weary.
It is critical that we continue to assist the people of Pakistan during this devastating
emergency.” Out of an estimated 18 million people affected by the floods, close to
7.2 million are in Sindh. Ongoing relief efforts have made it possible for more than
two million people in Sindh to have access to safe water, and more than 4.3 million
others have received food assistance, according to the UN Office Reports. High levels
of malnutrition and a risk of an outbreak of disease, however, remain a concern, with
children and pregnant women being the most vulnerable.