Many dead, entire regions flooded, hundreds of thousands no longer have a roof over their heads: the severe storm disaster in Pakistan is becoming ever greater – and it is likely to get worse.
Islamabad – The devastating floods in Pakistan have claimed the lives of more than 1,160 people, according to the latest information from the authorities. Since mid-June, the number of dead has risen to 1,162, including 384 children, the national civil protection agency said. It is expected that the numbers will continue to rise.
The UN and Pakistan’s government presented an initial aid plan for six months in Geneva on Tuesday, for which 160 million dollars (around 160 million euros) are now needed. UN Secretary-General António Guterres will travel to Pakistan next week for a solidarity visit, a UN spokesman said.
The South Asian country with around 220 million inhabitants has been suffering from unusually heavy monsoon rains since mid-June. More than 33 million people in 116 of Pakistan’s 160 districts are said to have been affected by the floods. Floods destroyed crops, houses and infrastructure, particularly in the Balochistan province in the south-west. The northwest is also struggling with major damage due to the floods. Natural disasters such as floods, droughts and landslides have increased in Pakistan in recent years. Experts attribute this to climate change. dpa
