ISLAMABAD, May 31: The United Nations Disaster Management Team in Pakistan met here on Monday to discuss the issue of water contamination and subsequent outbreak of gastro-enteritis disease and skin complaints reported in Hyderabad and its adjoining areas over the past few days.

The meeting was chaired by Mr Onder Yucer, UN Resident Coordinator, and attended by officials from WHO, Unicef, UNFPA, UNDP, FAO, national and international NGOs and the economic affairs division, ministry of finance.

WHO and Unicef shared their assessments on the nature and extent of the problem being faced by the population of the city. These included details of the filtration and chlorination processes of the Hyderabad water supply systems.

Both Unicef and WHO shared their analysis of the microbiological and bacterial contamination prevalent in the city's water and also shared their assessment of the water-related health problems in the area.

Over the next 48 hours, the UN disaster management team will review the extent of emergency relief assistance the UN can make available in order to tackle the crisis. Also, the UN will determine the nature of the technical and health assistance that can be made available immediately through donor coordination.

Moreover, the UN will prepare a detailed technical review on the causes, effects and potential remedies to the problem within the next 14 days. Mr Yucer said: "This will include proposals for long-term remedial measures within the water supply systems of Hyderabad and adjoining areas.

Also it will offer advice on how best to build the capacity of the water treatment plants and sewerage systems." The key findings of the review will be shared with the federal and provincial governments. -APP