PAKISTAN: UNITED NATIONS NEEDS $459.7 MILLION TO ASSIST MILLIONS OF PEOPLE

(New York / Geneva / Islamabad: 11 August 2010): The United Nations and its partners in Pakistan will require US$459.7 million over the coming weeks, to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of millions of people.

"We have a huge task in front of us to deliver all that is required as soon as possible", said John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, "The death toll has so far been relatively low compared to other major natural disasters, but the numbers affected are extraordinarily high. If we don't act fast enough, many more people could die of diseases and food shortages".

The Government of Pakistan estimates that more than 14 million people have now been affected - to different degrees of severity - by the floods, which have devastated large parts of the country from north to south. The emergency is still evolving, with continued rainfall, more areas at high risk of flooding, and hundreds of thousands of people on the move.

Shelter is an urgent priority. $105 million is required to provide tents or plastic sheeting, as well as basic household goods, for an initial target of over 2 million people. "We are working round the clock to get these items manufactured and delivered", said Martin Mogwanja, Humanitarian Coordinator for Pakistan. "I can confidently say that the response could not be any faster." More than 65,000 tents have already been delivered, covering at least 450,000 people, along with plastic sheets for an estimated 60,000 people.

With a high risk of a food crisis, food assistance will be necessary for up to six million people across the country, requiring $150.5 million, while $5.7 million will be needed to ensure the survival of livestock. So far, the World Food Programme (WFP) and its partners have delivered more than 4,350 metric tons (MT) of food to at least 370,000 people, including in the remote Swat Valley, which had been cut off from assistance until last week.

Clean water is due to be provided to approximately six million people who may otherwise face an increasing risk of waterborne diseases, requiring $110.5 million. More than one million people have already received clean water thanks to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and its partners.

Some $56.2 million will be required for emergency health care, covering potentially up to 14 million people, while $14.2 million is needed to ensure proper nutrition for children aged under five, and for pregnant or lactating women - the most vulnerable. Different types of medication have already been provided for prevention and treatment of several diseases.

"The response of the international community has so far been encouraging", said Mr. Holmes. "It is essential that this continue". So far, donors have committed or contributed $47.8 million to the response activities of the United Nations and its partners, and a further $99.5 million has been pledged. But over $300 million is still urgently needed.

For further information, please call: OCHA Islamabad: Maurizio Giuliano, +91 300 8502397, giuliano@un.org; OCHA-New York: Stephanie Bunker, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 347 244 2106, bunker@un.org; Nicholas Reader, +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org, 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