ISLAMABAD: The United Nations will reportedly launch a revised humanitarian appeal for additional $600 million for immediate relief assistance of flood affectees in Pakistan.
Acting Secretary Economic Affairs Division Humair Karim informed this during the second meeting of the Steering Committee for Coordination Regarding International Assistance for Flood Relief Activities in the Ministry of Economic Affairs Islamabad. The agenda of the meeting was “Mapping of Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Efforts.”
The meeting was attended by representatives from United Nations Development Program, UNOCHA, Embassies of Turkey and China, British High Commission Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, BISP, Ministry of Food Security, NDMA and Senior Officials of Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The first meeting of the Steering Committee was chaired by the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs on 21st of September. While highlighting the agenda of the meeting, Mr. Karim warmly welcomed the representatives of embassies and international organizations and government representatives to the meeting.
He stated that he is attending the meeting on the behalf of the Minister for Economic Affairs. He further briefed that the Steering Committee was formulated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan with the purpose to encourage better coordination between Government of Pakistan and International Development Partners for the effective and efficient provision of International Assistance to the flood affected areas.
During the meeting, the chair requested the Joint Secretary EAD to briefly present the current status of International Assistance coming from International development Partners. Islam Zaib, Joint Secretary EAD presented the flood situation and flood relief assistance coming from Donor Partners including; World Bank, ADB, USA through USAID, UK through FCDO, JICA, Turkey, China, EU, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, OPEC, UAE, Italy through AICS, New Zealand, Australia Canada, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Norway, Jordan, Austria, Nepal, France, Turkmenistan, Jordan, Russia, Indonesia, Greece and UN Agencies including; UNFPA, WHO, FAO, UNICEF, UNHCR, and WFP.
The chair stated that the Government of Pakistan is thankful to the International Community for providing humanitarian assistance for the catastrophe faced by the country due to unprecedented rains and flash floods. He further apprised the participants that the United Nations is in the process of launching Revised Humanitarian Appeal on 4th of October in which additional USD 600 million will be asked for immediate relief assistance. He stated that the UN launched the Flash Appeal on 30th August, 2022 with the assistance of USD 160 Million Grant for flood relief support. Since the devastation is huge, the grant was not enough to meet the needs of the affected population.
He further highlighted that currently Pakistan is in the first phase of providing immediate relief to the flood affected areas with the provision of food, shelter, medical facility, mosquito nets etc.
The Ministry of Health apprised the donors about the spread of water-borne diseases, malnourishment in children and urgent need of proper medical care to pregnant women in the flood affected areas and requested for the maximum provision of medical supplies including hygiene kit, delivery kit, antimalarial medicine etc.
During the meeting, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) presented a brief overview of the flood situation in the country and highlighted the method of distributing flood relief goods. The International Development Partners appreciated the efforts and acknowledged the importance of the platform that would help them coordinate with the government in a more effective manner.
The chair apprised the participants that by 15th of October, the Damage Needs Assistance Report would be ready which will provide a complete picture of the overall damage due to the floods and actual requirement of flood assistance.
The Chair decided to hold a follow-up meeting in about 10 days to continue coordination between government and development partners for flood relief.
