Peshawar: The United Nations children's
agency UNICEF on Monday launched an appeal for USD 47 million to
provide quick relief and aid to millions of people affected by
the worst floods in Pakistan's history.
Daniel Toole, the United Nations International
Children’s Emergency Fund's Regional Director for South Asia,
launched the appeal to the international community and
donor agencies after visiting a relief camp in Charsadda
district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
"Everybody, including foreign governments and donor
organisations, need to do a lot to help the affected people
and the urgent support of the international community is vital
for providing food, medicines and shelter to the 20 million
flood victims," Toole said.
Toole said he was visiting northwest Pakistan to see
the impact of the floods and to review UNCIEF's support for
hundreds of thousands of children and women in one of the
worst hit areas.
UNCIEF is closely working with UN agencies and
humanitarian partners to provide a lifeline to the most
vulnerable children and women, he said.
In 11 districts of Khyber-Pakthunkhwa, at least 2,800
villages have been washed away. At least 700 government-run
schools have been destroyed while 913 schools are being used
as shelters.
Other UNICEF officials said a vaccination campaign has
been started in Charsadda and Nowshra districts.
Charsadda is one of the worst affected districts as
1.7 million people, or nearly 75 per cent of the population of
the area, were affected by the floods.
Toole said: "It is also for the Pakistani people to
respond and help their brethren as many people still require
food and water. The international community and UNCIEF are
with Pakistan and we are here to mobilise support for the
flood victims."
UNICEF is providing help, healthcare and clean
drinking water to one million people, critical medical
supplies, supplementary food, family hygiene kits and other
non-food items in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
"Huge efforts are required by all stakeholders,
including the government, donor agencies and its partners, to
quickly respond to this huge and large-scale catastrophe,"
Toole said.
Later, Toole visited Nowshera and inspected relief
operations at Kandar camp, the Government Boys High School at
Dagi Banda and the Government Secondary School in Risalpure.
PTI
First Published: Monday, August 16, 2010, 20:27