Pakistan: Preparing to provide emergency medical assistance to 1.3 million potential flood victims

In the wake of ongoing monsoon rains in Pakistan, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan and health sector partners, on Wednesday considered an emergency plan, which includes preparing to provide emergency medical assistance to 1.3 million people potentially affected.
A statement issued by the WHO office said that the Health Sector Coordination Forum meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health of Pakistan and the World Health Organization, in which measures were finalized to ensure preparedness before possible floods during the monsoon.
The statement said that the key objectives of the plan include ensuring coordinated and timely emergency response, maintaining uninterrupted provision of basic health services in high-risk areas, and strengthening disease surveillance, early warning systems, and rapid pandemic response.

The plan has identified 33 priority districts, belonging to Punjab (10), Sindh (10), Balochistan (9), and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (4).
‘Priority populations include pregnant and lactating women, children under five, persons with disabilities, the elderly, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and those less privileged.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, water levels in the country’s major and minor dams are continuously rising and have reached near critical levels, while water flow in rivers has accelerated.

The report issued by WAPDA on July 9 said that the major rivers Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej are flowing normally, and there is no danger of unusual discharge or flood in any river. However, it was also clarified that the risk of flood is increasing due to the high water level in the rivers due to continuous rains.

The Meteorological Department also said in a post on ‘X’ on Tuesday that the water level in the country’s dams is continuously increasing.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said in its report on Wednesday that the death toll due to rains and floods in Pakistan since June 26 has reached 79, while more than 140 people have been injured.

The dead include 38 children and 19 women.

According to the NDMA, 189 houses were damaged, of which 66 were completely destroyed.
This week, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif directed the National Disaster Management Authority, rescue agencies, and the administration to be on high alert to deal with any emergency situation during the recent rains.