Islamabad: Pakistan continues to grapple with the effects of floods which have devastated the country.
One-third of the country is under water as record monsoon rains have caused havoc.
Terming it as ‘monster monsoon of the decade’, Pakistan’s Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman described the calamity as crisis of ‘unimaginable proportions’, news agencies reported.
The death toll has reached 1150, according to latest data issued by National Disaster Management Authority. An estimated 50 million people have been displaced and 1 million houses washed away.
Innumerable villages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province remained cut off from the rest of the country as overflowing rivers washed away roads and bridges. More than 200 bridges have collapsed throughout the country.
Authorities are struggling to evacuate thousands of trapped people living in the mountains, despite the help of helicopters.
According to Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, preliminary estimates suggest to losses of over $10 billion due to the rains and floods.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appealed to the world for funds to help in relief and rehabilitation of people affected by the floods.
The United Nations and Pakistan government will launch a formal appeal for $160 million to fund emergency aid for Pakistan.
“The situation is expected to worsen with more ongoing rainfall. We along with the (Pakistani) government are planning a flash appeal of $160 million for immediate relief activities,” UN Secretary-General spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday.
The UN emergency response fund has released an additional $3 million.
In a timely relief, International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday approved revival of its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, by virtue of which the cash-strapped country will receive $1.17 billion.
Countries like the US, UK and UAE have responded to PM Shareef’s call for aid and assistance.
