Across Sindh, hunger brings rising death toll in camps of flood victims

0
140

The increasing situation of food insecurity has begun another mass catastrophe in thousands of camps, especially in eight worst affected districts of Sindh, revealed a report issued on Monday. 
Thirty people, including 22 children, died in Naukot Forte flood camp in Tharparkar alone during the last four months
The report, titled the Sixth Civil Society Floods Situation Report (CSFSR), contains studies of field reports generated the Peoples Accountability Commission on Floods (PACF) and other information sources.
It has revealed a momentous analysis over the situation of the floods and its remedies. The report has specified the current status of food and forced return of the flood-affected people from camps and miserable food assistance situation in the calamity-hit districts during the relief phase.
Regarding the damages to agriculture and livestock, it is stated in the report, “The FAO appealed for $18.9 million to provide critical support to agriculture livelihoods. The total food security cluster funding requirements were nearly $174 million”. According to the survey conducted by the FOA Pakistan, the damages to the crops stand at 72 percent, livestock lost or damaged 36 percent, and food stocks destroyed 67 percent.
Members of the PACF visited the Naukot Fort Camp and registered complaints lodged by many flood survivors including Dodo Machi, Qasim Hingorjo, Wasandi Bheel and Seeta Kolhi.
Over 30 people, including children, had died in the camp during the last four months. The survivors informed the members that that their villages in the surroundings of Jhuddo, Roshanabad, Fazal Bhambro, Kaloi, Naukot Ohri, Tando Jan Mohammad, Samaro and Nafees Nagar were still under water.
“The Umerkot, Badin and Tharparkar districts, where water recession is low, need to be supported with food assistance with winterisation items and a safe environment,” it is suggested in the report.
Unconditional food support should be provided to the shelter-less, old aged, women household heads and the disabled so that vulnerability of the flood-affected people can be minimised.
Supplementary food assistance should be provided to children between age one and five years and lactating women.