Floods

A flooded Balutschistan is seen from an Army helicopter.One year ago, Pakistan suffered the worst flooding in its history, a slow-moving disaster that left some 2,000 dead and another 11 million homeless. Nearly one million are still without permanent shelter, and meanwhile, the flooding has returned. Diego Ibarra Sánchez for WHO
Sunset at the Sabzi Mandi camp in Hyderabad. At least six million people have been affected with half a million having lost everything. Diego Ibarra Sánchez for WHO
A refugee woman warms her baby in the morning inside a temporary shelter at Sabzi Mandi camp in Hyderabad. Diego Ibarra Sánchez for WHO
A doctor checks the blood pressure at the Karam Ali Lagariha Hospital, located in Hyderabad province. Poor living conditions, exposure to the cold and lack of access to appropriate hygiene measures are among key factors resulting in thousands of people suffering from acute respiratory infections. Diego Ibarra Sánchez for WHO
A child at the Functional Nutrition Center in Liaqat University of Medical Health Sciences in Hyderabad. Pakistan has a high infant mortality rate even before the floods, with 5 percent of newborns dying within the first month of life. Diego Ibarra Sánchez for WHO
WHO is coordinating the international health response. Medicines for close to two million people have already been delivered and thousands of people have been treated for water-borne diseases, such as diarrhea, skin infections, acute respiratory illnesses, and malaria. Vaccination campaigns have begun in some flood-affected areas. Diego Ibarra Sánchez for WHO
A child gets respiratory aid at the Functional Nutrition Center in Liaqat University of Medical Health Sciences in Hyderabad. 30% of children are affected by malnutrition. In all, it forms to increase the risk of disease and early death. Diego Ibarra Sánchez for WHO
A mother holding her son at the DTC- Tando Allah Yar, in Mir pur Khas District. Child malnutrition was already a serious and persistent problem in Pakistan before the floods. Diego Ibarra Sánchez for WHO
A rusty stretcher is seen inside an abandoned hospital due to the heavy floods in the province of Hyderabad. Hundreds of health facilities and hospitals have been damaged and destroyed during the floods, greatly reducing the healthcare available for survivors. Diego Ibarra Sánchez for WHO
A malnutrition baby is seen at the DTC- Tando Allah Yar hospital, in Mir Pur Khas District. High levels of malnutrition among children in communities affected by last year’s massive floods in Pakistan’s Sindh province remain one of the most challenging humanitarian problems six months since the disaster first hit the Asian country. Diego Ibarra Sánchez for WHO
WHO is coordinating the international health response. Diego Ibarra Sánchez for WHO
A ray of light bathes the face of a refugee due to the heavy rains of this year in the province of Hyderabad. The Sindh government claims to have put an estimated 280,000 people in nearly 2,000 refugee camps. Diego Ibarra Sánchez for WHO
A young Pakistani IPD carries water after the floods in the province of Hyderabad.People's skin is constantly exposed to unsafe water, unhygienic conditions and sharp debris, making skin diseases one of the leading reasons for medical consultations for flood survivors. Diego Ibarra Sánchez for WHO
Sunset in Hyderabad’s city. Most of the south of the province remains under water. Rains have led to destruction. Diego Ibarra Sánchez for WHO

Pakistan has been facing natural disasters for two consecutive years. Still reeling from last year's epic floods, Pakistan is battling monsoon rains again.

Heavy monsoon rains during the months of August and September 2011 in Pakistan put the huge loss of health and whole infrastructure including healthcare facilities.

Stagnant water in fields, villages, and towns is alarming for water/vector born diseases in the form of outbreaks of epidemics and a big threat of mortality.

WHO EH Team is carrying out water quality surveillance in flood-hit districts.

WHO is providing Aqua Tables for water purifications in the affected areas.

30% of children are affected by malnutrition. In all, it forms to increase the risk of disease and early death

WHO is coordinating the international health response. Medicines for close to two million people have already been delivered and thousands of people have been treated for water-borne diseases, such as diarrhea, skin infections, acute respiratory illnesses, and malaria. Vaccination campaigns have begun in some flood-affected areas. Health services must continue for mothers to deliver babies, for cancer patients to receive treatment and for people with mental and psychosocial health concerns to receive support. Dozens of mobile clinics have been sent to treat survivors. New hubs to deliver health care in the worst-affected areas are being established.