UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations has assured Pakistan that it continues to support its efforts to recover from last year’s devastating floods that affected more than 33 million people.

A UN report released on Tuesday noted that at least 1,700 people died in the floods, while eight million were displaced and 13,000 injured.

Around one million livestock animals perished in the floodwaters, which damaged 4.4 million acres of agricultural land and 2.2 million houses.

The floods also damaged critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, water and sanitation facilities, roads, bridges and government buildings.

“The United Nations and its partners continue to support the government-led response,” the report said. “We are also supporting authorities to help communities recover, restore their livelihoods, and prepare for the next monsoon season in a few months.”

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said at a news briefing in New York on Monday that so far donors had fulfilled only 40 per cent of the pledges they made at an international conference early this year to help the flood victims.

“Missing because people have not given it,” said Mr Dujarric when asked why the money pledged in January was still missing. “If the appeal is only 40pc funded ... that means we still need 60pc,” he said. “Those countries that have the money have not stepped up.”

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2023