Pakistan: Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 3

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2005/0106

OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Pakistan - Floods
13 July 2005

Situation

1. Major rivers in the Northern Areas, North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Punjab and Sindh of Pakistan have been flooding for the last three weeks. Although the floodwater has been receding in Northern Areas, NWFP and upper Punjab, water levels in Kabul and Swat rivers have started rising again on July 11. In Southern Punjab, River Chenab is flooding and has inundated low-lying areas and villages. In Sindh province, the Indus River is also flooding with a rising tendency.

2. Since the forecast predicts more rains during the next few days, the situation may get worse again in these provinces. According to the latest report of the Flood Forecasting Division, water level at two major dams is near the maximum conservation. The rapid rise in the level of these two dams would leave the authorities with no option except to release more water in the Indus and Jehlum Rivers in the coming few days.

Needs:

3. According to the Joint Assessment carried out by the UN Agencies in cooperation with National and International NGOs operating in the affected areas of NWFP, the needs of the affected population are as follows:

- Immediate food support for one-month for a total of 39,360 persons (27,090 local residents and 12,270 Afghan Refugees) in NWFP. Food support would also be needed for a similar period for the 5,000-affected population in the Northern Areas.

- Feeding and de-worming of 289,671 animals affected by the floods. The cost of feed is estimated at PKR 65 (approximately USD 1.1) per animal per day and de-worming at PKR 160 (approximately USD 2.7) per animal. The feed support would vary from 15 days to a month depending upon the situation of recovery from flood in different areas.

- Unmet shelter needs (250 tents) in the affected regions of Northern Areas and Chitral.

National Response:

4. The Punjab Chief Minister provided a grant of PKR.27.5 million (approximately USD 469 thousand) for the flood stricken areas of Layyah and Taunsa Sharif and PKR 10 million (approximately USD 170 thousand) for the affected populations in Sialkot district. A sum of PKR.25,000 (approximately USD 426) would be given to completely damaged and PKR.10,000 (approximately USD 170)to partially affected houses in the district.

5. The Punjab Government has released PKR.5.4 million (approximately USD 92 thousand) for provision of assistance to flood victims and set up 81 camps for the survivors across the province.

6. The Punjab Relief Department has provided 8,332 life jackets, 5,220 tents, 7,400 blankets, 65 de-watering pumps and 816 boats to the concerned departments for relief support and early rehabilitation of flood victims in Punjab. The army has established 37 relief camps in Chiniot, and Trimmu areas.

7. In Gujranwala district, the Livestock department has set up 10 relief centers for the provision of medicines to cattle in flood-affected areas. The district administration has also established an emergency cell and two mobile teams at Kamoki and Wazirabad tehsils.

8. The provincial government of NWFP has requested the international donor community and UN agencies for assistance in emergency relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims.

International Response

9. The International Rescue Committee, Pakistan will distribute 2,000 food baskets funded by USAID and 60 thousand sandbags to the affected population of Peshawar, Charsadda and Nowshera districts from 13 to 20 July, 2005. Islamic Relief has planned to provide animal feed for 1,000 large animals of the most vulnerable families of district Charsadda and Peshawar.

10. OCHA is in close contact with the UN Resident Coordinator' Offices, and will revert with further information, as it becomes available. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:

Mr. Massaki Nakagawa, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 4034

Press contact:

(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Direct Tel. +1-212-963 87 40