July 17, 2007	Tuesday	Rajab 01, 1428

ISLAMABAD, July 16: The United Nations is launching a flash appeal for $38 million to help Sindh and Balochistan recover from the devastation caused by cyclone Yemyin and recent floods.

The appeal is being launched from Geneva on Tuesday almost three weeks after cyclone Yemyin struck the coastal areas of the two provinces and floods ravaged vast areas in the hinterland.

The appeal covers humanitarian needs in the affected areas for the next three months and proposes 82 projects in 12 sectors submitted by non-governmental organisations and UN agencies.

The key priority areas identified in the flash appeal are early recovery, shelter, health and water and sanitation.

The UN Central Emergency Response Fund has already provided $5.8 million for some of the projects included in the flash appeal.

Intense storms and cyclone Yemyin caused severe flooding in Sindh and Balochistan displacing over 300,000 people and affecting more than two million.

The flooding that spread to 18 districts in Balochistan and five in Sindh left 280 people dead and another 186 missing.

Sources of livelihood, comprising fishery and agriculture, were badly affected.

“The appeal is intended to support the government in addressing humanitarian needs of victims of cyclone and floods,” a UN official said.

The flash appeal urges the international community for a generous response to ensure that the humanitarian impact of the disaster is contained and the most vulnerable receive the assistance at the earliest to restore their livelihoods.

National Disaster Management Authority chief Gen Farooq Ahmed Khan said the government supported the appeal for post-relief activities in the affected areas.

The assessments reveal that the displaced population is still in a vulnerable state, with many living in makeshift spontaneous settlements, camps and public buildings.

The spontaneous settlements mostly alongside the roads are of major concern because they offer little or no protection and have the highest humanitarian needs.

An increase in skin and eye infections has being noticed in these settlements, indicative of poor sanitation there.