ISLAMABAD, Feb 25: The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) has sought an additional $49.7 million to meet the needs of children and women displaced by floods in Sindh and Balochistan.

In a report published on Saturday, Unicef emphasised that these resources were necessary in order to transition into early recovery.

Since the launch of the ‘2011 Pakistan Floods Rapid Response Plan’ in September 2011 – which covers a period from Sept 2011 through March 2012 – Unicef received $19.96 million or 40 per cent of its initial $50.3 million funding requirement, according to the report.

Unicef plans to respond to the early recovery needs of the target population by conducting integrated vaccination campaigns and Mother and Child Days to deliver life-saving services. It will ensure early resumption of the basic maternal, new-born and child health services delivery system through lady health workers and community wives.

Unicef will work to ensure that its 36 health facilities initiate new services as well as continue with the existing ones.

It will provide treatment, care and support to people living with HIV and their families, ensure uninterrupted supply of anti-retroviral medicine to patients and create awareness on HIV prevention.

The displacement caused by floods left over 2.4 million children and 1.2 million women vulnerable and exposed to poor access to drinking water, and sanitation and healthcare facilities.

Health conditions remain of significant concern with the outbreak of water and vector-borne diseases in flood-affected areas.

Stagnant water pools have become breeding grounds for vectors, causing an increase in malaria and dengue cases.