Pakistan Flood Update
August 16, 2010 – A UN update released August 14, 2010, reports over 14 million persons are affected by the heavy flooding in Pakistan. A further report warns of new flooding this week in Sindh province, where there are already more than 1.5 million persons displaced in this province alone.
As Muslims in the devastated areas observe the holy month of Ramadan, there is a stark reality that as dusk settles many families will have no food to break their fast. In areas where there is food available, prices have nearly tripled as crops and other infrastructure have been damaged by the flooding.
Millions of displaced persons have little or no access to health-care, as existing facilities have been damaged, or access to main centres is cut off by the flood waters. As the flood continues, reported cases of diarrhea, respiratory infections, skin diseases and fever are on the rise.
The death toll from the Pakistan floods is expected to rise as many people were still reported missing.
CMAT maintains constant contact with our local partners who are working on the ground in Pakistan. Funds are desperately needed to provide basic supplies to people displaced by the flood, and CMAT is assessing whether to send a Primary Medical Team from Canada to assist with the care of the population, or whether to continue to support our local partner agencies who are already in place and working on the ground.
