As per the WHO, almost 6,34,000 individuals have been displaced since the calamity struck Pakistan.
WHO said Pakistan floods claimed over 1,290 lives. (AP)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Pakistan is facing an unprecedented scale of floods.
- WHO also said that nearly 1,460 health facilities disrupted.
- 4,332 health facilities are completely defunct.
In the aftermath of incessant and torrential rains in Pakistan, the country has been reeling under the unprecedented scale of floods, causing heavy casualties. Nearly 1,290 lives were lost while 12,500 people have been injured since the outbreak. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said that over 33 million were affected, including 6.4 million in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
As per the WHO, almost 6,34,000 individuals have been displaced since the calamity struck the country with more than 22 crore population. The WHO also said that nearly 1,460 health facilities in Pakistan were disrupted amid floods, of which 4,332 were completely defunct and 1,028 were partially defunct.
Understandably so, access to healthcare facilities, healthcare workers and essential medicines and life-aiding supplies are limited in stock. Moreover, beyond the reach of a common man at present.
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Floods in Pakistan have triggered the spread of acute water diarrhoea, typhoid, leishmaniasis and polio. It has also led to an increase in the transmission of malaria. The threat also comes from many cases prevalent in flood-affected areas. Early disease surveillance indicated that tens of thousands have been identified as patients affected by acute malaria, respiratory infections, skin and eye infections, and typhoid, amongst others, in Pakistan.
WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Ahmed Al Mandhari issued a statement in relation to the floods in Pakistan. He said, “We are following closely and with deep concern, the humanitarian crisis the people of Pakistan are currently facing, as a result of devastating monsoon floods. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Pakistan, especially in the directly affected communities and including our own WHO staff and national partners who continue to work tirelessly to respond to the massive health needs, even while being personally impacted by this disaster.”
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