Aid needed for long-term rebuilding efforts could exceed one billion dollars
A man holds his child while standing outside his flooded home
A man wades through flood waters, evacuating his children in Sukkur, located in Pakistan's Sindh province
A Pakistani flood survivor Kalo Mai takes shelter on railway station in Multan, central Pakistan
Martin Mogwanja, U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator for Pakistan told that aid needed for long-term rebuilding efforts could exceed one billion dollars.
"There's going to be a tremendous cost in terms of repairing roads, bridges, telecommunications and electricity infrastructure and, most importantly, repairing irrigation infrastructure that ensures the capacity of the rural farmers of Pakistan to continue to produce the foodstuffs and cash crops that sustain them," Mogwanja told.
"The disaster is continually getting worse," said John Holmes, U.N. under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.
The nearly half-billion dollar flash appeal is for the coming 30- to 60-day period. Holmes said that it would be updated at the one-month mark and would likely increase.
The Pakistan Disaster Authority confirmed 1,313 deaths Wednesday. It said 1,588 people have been injured and 352,291 people have been rescued. More than 722,000 houses have been damaged. Many Pakistanis now face severe food shortages, and aid agencies stepped up appeals for global assistance.
For many parts of southern Pakistan, the worst is yet to come. The Indus River is expected to crest Thursday in parts of Sindh, according to the Pakistani Meteorological Department. And Pakistanis will be forced to endure the consequences of damaged infrastructure and crops lost to flooding for months.
Nishat Welfare Organization continuing its Rescue operation, rescued today about 5000 persons at Deh Bagho Dero & Ludha Basharat, Kandiaro. The latest flood has competently damaged the crops and houses of more than 15 Villages.
At district Larkana, near Dokri the situation is same. NWO rescued teams reached inside the Dokri about 15 — 20 Km and evacuated the 2000 persons from 10 Villages. Thousands of acre crops are damaged in the area.