UN warns floods to affect 2 million people in Pakistan

The United Nations said Monday that up to two million people in Pakistan are again at risk from flooding, partly due to lack of funds for reconstruction in the 2010 flood-hit areas.
“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,” said UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
It said that 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,” it said.
The UN said that more than 600 million U.S. dollars is still needed to support early recovery activities and achieve the objectives set out in the Pakistan Flood Relief and Early Recovery Response Plan.
July 28, 2011 will mark the first anniversary of the 2010 floods in Pakistan, one of the world’s most devastating natural disasters in recent years. 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 Pakistani government and local authorities, provided food for 7 million people, safe drinking water for 8 million, and medicines for 12 million people.
As the government 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.
However, much more needs to be done, and there are other key humanitarian needs in the country. In northwestern Pakistan, displaced people still need food, shelter, and income opportunities, the UN aid agency said.
Next week in Pakistan, the United Nations and partners will commemorate the anniversary in Islamabad and other areas, it said.