Pakistan is facing the worst monsoon floods in living memory. The magnitude of unfolding disaster is more than the mind can take in
Devastation caused by the floods has hit more people than those affected by the Tsunami, Katrina, and the earthquake in Haiti combined
More than 3.5 million children are at a high risk of deadly diseases
About 1.08 million children and 960,000 pregnant women face clear risk of malnutrition across the affected area.
204,040 cases of acute diarrhea, 263,356 cases of skin disease and 204,647 cases of acute respiratory infection have been reported. An increased risk of breakout of cholera, measles and malaria is still looming
1,237,493 houses have been destroyed
The tents and tarpaulins provided so far can cover only 11 percent and 6 percent of affected population in Punjab and Sindh, respectively
Around 7,820 schools are reported to have been fully or partially damaged |
Infrastructure of the country has been severely damaged. Over 70 percent of the roads and bridges in the flood affected areas have been destroyed
17 million acres of agricultural land has been submerged. At least 3.6 million hectares of standing crops have been damaged. Crop damage is estimated at $3 billion
In addition to the crop damage, 1 million tons of wheat stored in warehouses has been swept away, putting the food security of sixth most populous country in the world at risk
Key concerns continue to be lack of access to basic services, overcrowded displacement sites, and ensuring equal access to assistance for women and children.
Repairing roads, bridges, telecommunications, power infrastructure, farming and irrigation system will involve huge costs
The floods may cut the nation's economic growth to half
The immediate relief efforts would need to be complemented by long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction, with help from the UN and global partners |
