The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has promised a generous donation of US $ 1 million to support the World Health Organization (WHO) in its efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s response to ongoing monsoon floods.
“We are particularly grateful to the Gates Foundation for this generous and timely support for WHO teams in the field, helping federal and provincial authorities to meet health needs, deliver medical supplies and save lives,” said the WHO representative in Pakistan dr Dapeng Luo during a visit to health facilities in the areas affected by floods in the Swabi district Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Financing will help meet the health needs of more than 465,000 people most affected by floods in 33 high -risk districts in KP, Sindh, Punjab and Baluchistan. The initiative aims to guarantee the continuity of health services to save lives improving the surveillance of diseases, the response to the outbreak and the availability of essential medical supplies in the areas affected by floods.
“With the climate crisis feeding increasingly severe monsors and natural disasters, the quick response and good preparation are critical to preserve public health,” said Dr. Dapeng Luo. He added that who meets Pakistan to save lives today and build stronger and stronger health systems for tomorrow, protecting future generations.
The funds will focus particularly on protecting vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, children under five, the elderly, people with disabilities, internally displaced persons (IDP) and people living in host communities.
Since August 15, devastating floods have charged at least 450 lives and injured 265 people only in KP, affecting more than 860,000 people. WHO teams continue to help federal and provincial authorities provide medical support and respond to the crisis.
The initiative, which will be implemented during the next six months, will also strengthen the coordination of the health sector and will provide vital information to communities through risk communication efforts and community participation (RCCE).
A day before, the United Nations released $ 600,000 to support help efforts for sudden flood victims caused by relentless monsoon rains in Pakistan. The UN spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, told reporters in New York that the Pakistani authorities, supported by the UN and local partners, are leading the emergency response. A UN team will carry out a damage evaluation survey on Wednesday.
