ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has sent teams to areas affected by recent flash floods to assess immediate relief assistance needs. The IOM, funded by the World Food Programme and the Central Emergency Response Fund, is also helping to bring clean water to displaced people.

The Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority has prioritised north-western Sindh and eastern Balochistan districts for the IOM to distribute relief items. “Our tankers are delivering 80,000 litres of drinking water to displaced people in the area every day,” said an IOM spokesman.

An estimated 2.5 million people were affected by flooding following four days of heavy rains in Balochistan and Sindh, which left 324 dead and thousands of families homeless. Some 6,500 villages were affected by the floods and 80,000 houses were destroyed.

More than 370,000 people were displaced, many of whom are now living in schools, makeshift roadside shelters or with relatives. Over 35,000 people are living in camps.

“Following the floods, hygiene and the spread of diseases among the displaced population became a major concern. So our focus has been on providing hygiene kits and ensuring that people have access to clean drinking water,” says Brian Kelly, head of IOM Pakistan’s Emergency Response Unit.

IOM, through its implementing partner Mercy Corps, is targeting at least 7,500 vulnerable families.

The IOM teams have also carried out assessment missions in Jaffarabad, Nasirabad, Bolan, Jhal Magsi, Kharan, Mastung, Khuzdar, Noshki, Awaran, Turbat and Lasbella districts of ŠBalochistan. In Sindh, the teams visited Dadu and Kamber-Shahdadkot districts.