Islamabad: 5.7 million flood victims in Pakistan will face a food crisis within three months, according to a report. The UN humanitarian agency has given a warning about this. Even before the flood, there was a food crisis in the country.
According to the World Health Organization, 16 percent of the population suffered from food insecurity. But the government is of the opinion that the stored wheat will be enough to ensure that there is no shortage till the next harvest.
Apart from this, people are suffering from water-borne diseases in Sindh and southwestern Balochistan provinces where floods are severe. Majority of the people in the area suffer from chronic conditions including skin diseases. People who have lost their homes live in unsanitary makeshift shelters. This leads to an increase in the spread of disease.
It is reported that 1,695 people have died and 33 million people have been affected by the floods caused by heavy rains in the country. The information is based on the latest figures of the National Disaster Management Authority. Incessant rains and subsequent floods have caused extensive damage in Pakistan since mid-June. 1.8 million houses were destroyed, roads were washed away, 440 bridges collapsed and railway traffic was disrupted. Sindh province was the worst affected, with 1.5 million houses destroyed.
The country is about to request an additional 600 million US dollars for rehabilitation. But it was found that this was not sufficient and further grant was requested.