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Pakistan

PAKISTAN: 100 DAYS ON, FLOODWATERS REMAIN AS FUNDING DRIES UP

(Islamabad/Geneva/New York: 5 November 2010): A hundred days into the flooding crisis in Pakistan millions remain in urgent need of support, after heavy monsoon rains caused landslides and flood waters to sweep away entire communities. The situation for those impacted by the floods is desperate-- many have lost what little they owned, either under flood waters or from having to sell animals and personal items in order to see their families through the disaster.

"At this time it is critical, more than ever, for countries to demonstrate commitment to the people of Pakistan," said Rauf Engin Soysal, UN Special Envoy of the Secretary General for the Assistance to Pakistan. "Millions remain in need of immediate help."

The emergency is far from over, with an estimated 14 million people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Many face serious challenges on a daily basis, relying on the supply of safe drinking water, food, health care and shelter, especially as the harsh winter begins and temperatures drop in northern Pakistan.

The humanitarian crisis is still wide spread, with displaced people scattered across vast areas and floodwaters still engulfing their homes, particularly in Sindh. In the north, the first snow has fallen in the mountains, and agricultural communities all along the Indus have witnessed their crops and livestock disappear.

In a demonstration of continued unified commitment to the people of Pakistan, the United Nations and the Government of Pakistan presented the Pakistan Floods Relief and Early Recovery Response plan to appeal for urgently needed support. To date, funding for the Floods Relief and Early Recovery Response Plan is only at 40 per cent of the requirements of USD$1.93 billion.

Resources are crucial to providing much needed relief and rehabilitation work, as the humanitarian community is continuing to expand operations as necessary in order to meet the large scale needs of those affected by the floods in the south, while providing temporary shelter in the north with 'one warm room' in every home to keep flood affected families warm while they rebuild.

"The initial solidarity demonstrated in the early days of the crisis must be re-energized if Pakistan is not to be forgotten. There is still much work to be done to support people who are trying to recover from this shock and rebuild their lives," said Martin Mogwanja, United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for Pakistan.

Out of an estimated 18 million people affected by floods, spanning one-fifth of the country, close to 7.2 million are in Sindh, where almost one million homes have been destroyed. Through the work of the United Nations and its partners, to date, six million people in the country have received food in the last month, emergency shelter has been provided for 3.9 million people, 2.5 million receive safe drinking water, and 5.9 million people have benefitted from essential health care.

"A flood of this magnitude impacts an entire generation, we now must renew our commitment and focus to support the families of Pakistan in their greatest hour of need," UN Special Envoy Soysal concluded.

For further information, please call: OCHA Islamabad: Stacey Winston, +92 300 8502690, winston@un.org, OCHA New York: Stephanie Bunker, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 347 244 2106: OCHA Geneva: Elisabeth Byrs, +41 22 917 2653, mobile +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org

OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int

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