Pakistan: Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 2

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2005/0100

OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Pakistan - Floods
8 July 2005

Situation

1. Due to the heavy snowfall during winter and unprecedented high temperatures prevailing in the region, major rivers in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the Northern Areas of Pakistan have been flooding for the last two weeks. Although the water levels in Kabul, Swat and Chitral rivers are gradually reducing, these rivers continue to be in high- and medium-flood level situation. According to the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office in Islamabad, affected areas are NWFP, Northern Areas and Punjab.

2. In NWFP, the worst affected districts are Peshawar, Charsadda and Nowshera where 79 villages have been seriously affected. Two persons were killed and the total number of displaced and in need of food aid in three districts is estimated to be 40,000 persons including 12,070 Afghan Refugees. A total of 1,805 houses have been damaged, out of which 468 have been destroyed. Standing crops on almost 26,943 acres have been destroyed. The floods have also damaged water infrastructure and drinking water sources in the most affected areas.

3. In Northern Areas, low lying areas in Ghizer, Ghanche and Gilgit have been affected and 5,000 persons are reported to be in need of emergency assistance. Total of 989 houses have been damaged. According to an assessment by Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, relief priorities include food, tents, clothes, medicines and pipes for drinking water.

4. In Punjab, flood in the Indus River has affected Layyah district. The high floodwaters have inundated 89 villages with a population of almost 240,000 persons. A total of 41,700 persons have been evacuated to safer places and 11,000 have taken refuge in the relief camps established by the district administration. There is no report of any casualty because of timely evacuation operations.

Needs

5. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates immediate food support is needed for one-month for 39,360 persons in NWFP. Food support would also be needed for a similar period for the 5,000 persons in Northern Areas. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports the need for feeding and de-worming of livestock affected by floods in NWFP.

National Response

6. The Government has not requested international assistance but welcomes the help from bilateral and multilateral partners including the UN organisations. The provincial government of NWFP has issued an appeal to the donors and the United Nations organizations for help in provision of relief and rehabilitation support.

7. The Prime Minister visited the affected areas and will provide PKR 100 million (approximately USD 1.705 million), as well as 2,200 food packages (32.1kgs each), 100 tents, 200 blankets and seven cartons of medicines to the districts authorities in NWFP. 300 food packages, 200 tents, 500 blankets and 6 cartons of medicines will be sent to the Northern Areas.

8. The provincial government of NWFP has allocated PKR 110 million (approximately USD 1.875 million) for provision of relief support. The government has also distributed 4,972 food packages and 1,050 tents and established 17 medical centres. The provincial governments of Punjab and Sindh have announced grants of PKR 50 million (approximately USD 852.4 thousand) each for relief activities. The provincial government of Punjab has also provided 200 tents and a cash grant of PKR 800 thousand (approximately USD 13,638) for relief work in Layyah district.

9. The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that its provincial branches have sent some relief items such as tents, blankets, sheets, water containers, and medicines to the affected areas.

International Response

10. The United Nations Disaster Management Team (UNDMT) has formed sectoral groups to assess the specific needs and address issues of immediate concern in food, water and sanitation, health, shelter and livestock and agriculture. The sectoral groups submitted their reports and presented findings in the UNDMT Meeting held on 7 July, which are reflected in this Situation Report.

11. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has dispatched a relief package, the total value of USD 22,575. The World Health Organization (WHO) representative provided three new Emergency Health Kits, which are sufficient for emergency health needs of 30,000 people for three months.

12. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided a grant of USD 50,000 to the International Rescue Committee for provision of food for 2,000 families in the affected areas as well as 60,000 sandbags to help local authorities for flood protection work.

13. Catholic Relief Service has dispatched food packs, soaps, water containers, and plastic sheets for distribution in Peshawar, Nowshera and Mardan. Al-Rasheed Trust has provided tents and food packages to the Afghan Refugees affected by floods in NWFP.

14. OCHA is in close contact with the UN Resident Coordinator's Office as well as with the Government of Pakistan, and will revert with further information, as it becomes available. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:

Ms. Masayo Kondo, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 1997
Mr. Massaki Nakagawa, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 4034

Press contact:

(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, Direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
(N.Y.) Ms. Stephanie Bunker, Direct Tel. +1-212-963 87 40