By NNN-KUNA,
Geneva : The World Health Organization (WHO) expected on Sunday that more than 500,000 people are in worst situation affected by the flood in Pakistan, thousands of people are affected and have become homeless; the exact data for the homeless and damage will be possible only after having direct access.
“According to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 13 Sub districts (comprising many villages) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 85 Villages of Punjab, 21 of Baluchistan and 7 villages of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have been affected by the floods”, WHO said in a statement.
The heavy rains hit almost all parts of the country stretching from north to south, causing devastating flash floods resulting significant damages to human life, livestock and property.
Since the communication channels, especially mobile communication networks are not working, it is expected that the floods have caused more damages in terms of human and property losses over night, making tens of thousands of people homeless and need of assistance.
Road network between Peshawar districts and Islamabad Peshawar Motorway is badly affected with rain and flood water.
The WHO team is in contact with NDMA and Department of Health at the provincial headquarters level to preposition and immediately dispatch essential medicines, supplies on the request for assistance and support to health facilities through Health Cluster partners.
WHO already chalked out contingency plan in the district for the last two months keeping in view the seasonal monsoon rains preparedness.
WHO emergency team, is monitoring and assessing the situation with the presence of surveillance officers on ground. WHO is in close coordination with health partners on ground to assess the damages and health needs to cater the rapid response in line with coordination with concerned DoH of the district.
It was decided that Health Department should ensure availability of essential Medicines, vaccines, anti-gastro / diarrhea Medicines etc at all the Hospitals, Dispensaries, Basic Health Units and Rural Health Centers to avoid chances of any break out of diseases and loss of human lives.
The Health Department will also ensure the availability of Doctors / Medical Staff to be put on high alert and to provide list of Medical Staff to be mobilized to areas where flood is reported.
The Health Department will also ensure the establishment of an Emergency Medical Cell for better coordination in emergency situation.
They will also set-up Medical Camps and organize Medical Mobile Teams to meet any emergency situation.