July 29, 2007	Sunday	Rajab 13, 1428

RAWALPINDI, July 28: The security situation in certain areas of Sindh and Balochistan is likely to affect the relief operations in flood-affected areas.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has asked all United Nations agencies and NGOs to obtain permission prior to working in the affected areas.

The NDMA has stated that no-objection certificates (NOC) will be issued selectively. Permission will have to be requested by all UN and NGOs entities to work in the affected areas to ensure security, NDMA said.

On the other hand, according to a relief audit study conducted by Rural Development Policy Institute (RDPI) the government’s relief response to disaster caused by Yemyin cyclone and flash flood remains ineffective, insufficient and slowest after the one month of calamity.

RDPI had obtained official figures on disaster relief from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

According to the report the required quantity of three priority items of relief including shelter, ration and blankets has not reached equitably to the affected and shelterless populations of disaster-stricken areas.

Meanwhile, the latest situation report of OCHA stated that the Pakistan Cyclone and Floods Flash Appeal has received 15 per cent funds, with $5.8 million in firm contributions till July 27. A further $2 million has been pledged so far.

On the other hand, the NDMA has announced that federal interventions including distribution of food items and shelter tents will end on July 31. It expects that in this situation Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMA) in Balochistan and Sindh will assume greater responsibility.

The UN refugee agency stated that its total distributions of non-food items as of July 28 include sleeping mats (6,100), blankets (10,100) kitchen sets (2,000), plastic tarpaulin sheets (18,700), cans (6,200), tents (3,200), quilts (100) and round tents (430) in Balochistan and Sindh.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that out of 14 districts in Balochistan, the health facilities in Khuzdar and Kech have been worst affected.

In Khuzdar, 42 per cent of health facilities including Rural Health Centres (RHCs), Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Community Dispensaries (CDs) have been affected. In Kech, 40 per cent have been affected. In Primary Health Care, 25 out of 266 CDs and 21 of 254 BHUs have been completely damaged in Balochistan. Some 33 per cent BHUs and 27 per cent CDs have been partially damaged, the report says.