UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs July 23.
July 28 2011 marks the first anniversary of the 2010 floods in Pakistan - one
of the world’s most devastating natural disasters in recent times. Nearly a
fifth of the country was flooded, affecting over 20 million people and resulting
in some 14 million people in need of humanitarian aid. Livestock was killed,
crops were destroyed, and infrastructure and other livelihood assets were
damaged on an unprecedented scale.
Immediately after the floods, humanitarian agencies, coordinating with the
Government and local authorities, provided food for seven million people, safe
drinking water for eight million, and medicines for twelve million people.
As the Government of Pakistan declared a transition from relief phase to
early recovery at the end of January 2011, humanitarian communities have been
actively supporting early recovery activities and help people to restart a
normal life. Major activities have included rehabilitating water wells,
improving the primary health care system, and rebuilding schools.
As the 2011 monsoon season approaches, up to two million people are again at
risk from flooding, partly due to lack of funds for reconstruction. Major
efforts are needed immediately to reduce the vulnerability of these families and
implement urgent recovery and flood preparedness work on river banks, irrigation
channels and other infrastructure. The humanitarian community is also preparing
contingency plans to enable an effective response to any humanitarian needs that
may rise. Major preparedness measures include pre-positioning of tents and
establishing coordination structures with local authorities.
However, much more needs to be done, and there are other key humanitarian
needs in the country. In north-western Pakistan, displaced people still need
food, shelter, and income opportunities. More than US$ 600 million is still
needed to support early recovery activities and achieve the objectives set out
in the Pakistan Flood Relief and Early Recovery Response Plan.
Families in Thatta District waiting for hygiene kit distributions in Makli Camp,
where thousands sought refuge after being displaced from their homes when the
floodwaters inundated southern Pakistan
Millions of spiders in Pakistan have encased entire trees in cobwebs following
unprecedented flooding last year.
The flood affected arachnid population had
climbed into trees to escape rising floodwaters and as the water took so long to
recede, the trees became covered in a cocoon of cobwebs.
