ISLAMABAD: With food insecurity and prevalence of water-borne diseases expected to rise in the coming weeks, people affected by floods require large quantities of relief supplies, but only a fraction of what they need has reached them especially in inundated areas.

In a statement, Transparent Hands – the largest technology platform for crowdfunding in the healthcare sector – said on the request of the Pakistani government, the United Nations had launched an appeal to the world to extend support for those affected by the floods.

There were unprecedented floods in the country this year, which resulted in the deaths of 1,500 people and damage to properties and crops, it stated, adding that due to the appeal, relief from not just a number of friendly states but also from several international organisations had been announced.

“The relief providing teams are still on the ground in the flooded regions and have reported that a large number of people had to flee their homes in a hurry to escape from the water. They had no time to save their possessions, and many of them reached safer areas without food, shelter or clothes. What makes matters worse is that the stagnant water around them has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria,” the statement said.

“The flood victims are suffering from a wide range of diseases like malaria, dengue, cholera, diarrhoea, hepatitis and skin infections,” it added.

Transparent Hands Chief Executive OfficerRameeza Mueen said teams of more than 100 volunteers and staff members including male and female doctors, pharmacists and nurses were holding free medical camps and preventive healthcare sessions.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2022