UN conducts secondary assessment of flood losses

The United Nations in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Sindh and Districts' Disasters Management Committees has started conducting a secondary assessment of losses caused by the recent floods in Sindh.
Well-placed sources told Business Recorder here on Monday that the assessment report would be finalised in a day or two and on the basis of available data; Pakistan would be in a better position to appeal to the international community for assistance while the final assessment would be conducted involving the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The World Bank and the ADB Damage and Needs Assessment (DNA) survey for 2010 across Pakistan clearly showed that floods caused $9.7 billion to infrastructure, farms, houses including other direct and indirect losses. In carrying out the assessment, ADB and World Bank teams examined the extent of the damage in 15 key sectors across Pakistan with direct damage, indirect losses and reconstruction cost. Devastating floods in Pakistan shattered physical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, power lines, houses, schools, medical facilities, irrigation installations and farm structures in 2010.
Sources said the NDMA has provided food worth Rs 2.25 billion to the flood-affected areas; 43000 tents, 1.50 lac water purification tablets. " Over 209 people have died due to recent floods, 5 million people have been affected, 1.50 lac people are living in relief camps, 80 percent crops have been destroyed, more than 6 million cattle heads have perished."
They said that 1.20 lac women are pregnant in these areas. Monsoon rains have affected 22 out of 23 districts of Sindh. Out of these 1.20 lac women, 18000 are in critical conditions. Out of 5 lac children less than the age of 5, about 40,000 may catch cholera. There are 0.5 million people that can have the other diseases like malaria, snake bites, and typhoid. Sources added that more than 5000 cases of skin infections have been registered so far in flood-affected areas. About 17 people including six children died due to gastro in Thatta, Badin and Tando Allahyar. While three children died of Malaria in Umerkot. Due to stagnant water numerous diseases have spread in the affected areas including malaria, skin diseases, gastro, diarrhoea, dengue fever, etc.