UNICEF preparing new appeal for flood relief donations

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A new flash appeal for the flood affected people in southern Pakistan is being prepared and is expected to be announced within a week, a senior official of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) told Pakistan Today on Thursday.
UNICEF Chief Field Officer Andro Shilakadze said that about 57 percent of the flooded villages were still inundated and approximately 4.8 million affected people, of which 2.4 million are children and 1.2 million are women, were awaiting help in Sindh, whereas another 0.3 million from Balochistan add to the count.
Shilakadze said the figures reveal a nightmare situation, as all aid organisations including the UN agencies are complaining about a shortage of funds.
He said the UNICEF was using its available resources however more funds were required to continue the relief work. He said the new flash appeal was being prepared to highlight the plight of the flood-hit people and the urgency of more donations. He hoped that the new appeal would be announced within a week after the Pakistani government endorses it.
A group of humanitarian organisations on Wednesday expressed worries over inadequate funds. They warned that relief efforts for over five million people were under threat, asking the donors to urgently provide funds to reduce the risk of widespread diseases and malnutrition to 9 million people.
“With the water receding, some three-fourth of the internally displaced people reportedly returned to their respective areas. Most have found their houses, infrastructure and livelihoods destroyed. Sources of safe water and sanitation facilities are contaminated or ruined in many villages and nearly 10,000 schools and 46 percent of health facilities are damaged. Those who remain in temporary settlements are at risk, particularly women, children, elderly and the disabled, who face severe health risks due to lack of proper nutrition, water and sanitation facilities and urgently need a continuation of life-saving interventions,” the UNICEF official said.
He further said the upcoming winter season would exacerbate the vulnerability of people in relief shelters and those who were returning home without proper shelter, blankets, medical supplies and food for the season ahead.
Meanwhile, Spain has announced to provide Euros 500,000 to the UNICEF for the flood affected people.