The “2022 Pakistan Floods Response Plan” was jointly launched on Tuesday by the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations, simultaneously in Islamabad and Geneva.

Addressing the press stakeout, after launching the plan in Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the FRP was launched in the backdrop of devastating rains, floods and landslides that have impacted more than 33 million people in different parts of Pakistan.

He said over 1,100 people including over 350 children have lost their lives, more than 1,600 people have been injured, over two million houses have damaged, over 735,000 livestock have perished and two million acres of crops have been adversely impacted, besides severe damage to communications infrastructure.

The Foreign Minister said the appeal focuses on the needs of 5.2 million people, with life-saving response activities amounting to 160.3 million dollars covering food security, assistance for agriculture and livestock, shelter and non-food items, nutrition programmes, primary health services, protection, water and sanitation, women’s health, and education support, as well as shelter for displaced people.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the FRP highlights the main humanitarian needs, the efforts and steps taken by the Government of Pakistan to handle these challenges in collaboration with the UN and other partners, and sets out a well-coordinated and inclusive plan of action to respond to the needs of the affected people.

Earlier, delivering the keynote address on the launch of the appeal, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the international community to give its full backing to the flash appeal to help the people of Pakistan most in need.

He encouraged them to contribute generously towards meeting the funding requirements of this response plan.

In his video message, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres shared that the people of Pakistan face the unrelenting impact of heavy rains and flooding in the country.

He said Government of Pakistan’s response has been swift. It has released national funds, including in the form of immediate cash relief. But the scale of needs is rising like the flood waters. It requires the world’s collective and prioritized attention.

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Julien Harneis said this super flood is driven by climate change. He called upon the international community to step up and stand with the people of Pakistan.

Chairman National Disaster Management Authority Lieutenant General Akhtar Nawaz gave a detailed briefing on the current humanitarian situation and efforts of the Government of Pakistan, supported by humanitarian partners in carrying out rescue and relief operations.

Source: Radio Pakistan