Spain has provided euros 500,000 to Unicef for water, sanitation and hygiene emergency response after the devastation caused by 2011 floods, affecting up to 5.4 million people. Dan Rohrmann, Unicef Pakistan Representative said with the water receding in many places, some three-quarters of displaced people have reportedly returned, but they have found their homes, infrastructure and livelihoods damaged or destroyed.
Those left behind in temporary shelters comprise mainly infants, young children and women, as well as the elderly and disabled. With poor shelter and limited access to water and sanitation, time is of the essence to deliver relief and early recovery assistance.
Gonzalo Quintero Saravia, Ambassador of the Embassy of Spain said: "On the occasion of the terrible floods suffered once more by the people of Pakistan, it is an honour for me, as ambassador of Spain, to announce the ever-lasting commitment of the Spanish people to Pakistan. It is in times of hardship when concrete actions give testimony to the existence of a solid and mature friendship."
The government of Pakistan also faces a funding crisis and might be forced to scale down relief efforts due to depleting resources, which has led to an increased need for the humanitarian agencies to step up their response. The UN's $357 million appeal has only received $96.5 million so far. "The 2011 flash floods appeal remains distressingly under-funded with a 73 percent shortfall and if more funding is not received relief supplies will run out within weeks which impacts UN agencies from providing life-saving clean water, sanitation, food, shelter and healthcare," said Stacey Winston, UN spokesperson.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.