GENEVA/ISLAMABAD, 6 August 2010 - UNICEF has appealed for $47.3 million to fund its relief operation for the millions hit by flooding in Pakistan, including an estimated 1.4 million children. Pakistan is facing the worst flooding in more than 80 years. Heavy monsoon rains have affected close to 4 million people across the country.
"UNICEF is ramping up its relief operation for the millions of people affected by the flooding in Pakistan. Many of those are children who are especially vulnerable to disease and the present harsh conditions. They need water, medicine, food and shelter urgently. Our immediate priority is to reach all those hit by the flooding especially those in the most remote areas," said Martin Mogwanja, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.
The UNICEF relief operation will concentrate on the critical areas of water and sanitation, health, nutrition, education and child protection. The largest part of the operation is the provision of water and sanitation systems to head off the outbreak of diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera, especially deadly to children. UNICEF is already providing clean drinking water to over half a million people and will bring in emergency food rations and emergency health kits.
The flooding has caused widespread destruction of infrastructure with roads submerged and bridges swept away. Power lines are down and many hospitals, schools and sanitation systems have been severely damaged. There is also concern at the damage to crops and livestock in regions where agriculture is the main source of income.
"The appeal also reflects our concern for the longer-term recovery operation in regions where critical infrastructures has been affected and livestock and crops have been wiped out," said Mr. Mogwanja.
The figures in the appeal will continue to be revised according to information coming in from ongoing assessments and response efforts will be coordinated through inter-agency Cluster Response Plans.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org
For further information, please contact:
Marco Jimenez Rodriguez, UNICEF Media, Geneva,
Tel + 41 22 909 5716,
mjrodriguez@unicef.org
Patrick McCormick, UNICEF Media, New York,
Tel + 1 212 326-7426,
pmccormick@unicef.org
Related links
UNICEF appeals for $47.3 million to fund its relief operation in Pakistan
Aid workers focus on staving off disease outbreaks in Pakistan flood zone
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UNICEF responds as floods affect over 3 million in north-western Pakistan with audio
UNICEF sends in life-saving supplies to the millions of people affected by flooding in Pakistan
UNICEF supporting government response to the needs of children affected by floods in Afghanistan
Education provides a future for children in earthquake-affected Pakistan
