Karachi, Aug 09: UN agencies have donated about US$450,000 in emergency supplies to flood victims in Pakistan, where high waters have killed 237 people since monsoon rains began last month, the United Nations said today. Flood waters are receding in the hard-hit southern provinces of Sindh and Baluchistan. Yet, people not only face hunger but waterborne diseases are likely to erupt soon due to people drinking contaminated water,'' said Omar Abdi, a representative for the UN Children's fund.
Abdi said that local medical teams have reported high rates of skin infections and other diseases especially among children.
"We believe that children of the area will be requiring further support for weeks, maybe months,'' Abdi said.
Unicef is also concerned about getting children back to schools, Abdi said. The new school year was to have started this week but has been delayed until Aug 18 because schools are being used as refugee shelters.

Bureau Report