UNICEF calls for $67m in donations for Pakistan

UNICEF calls for $67m in donations for Pakistan flood relief

More money will be needed to pay for relief to the devastated regions of Pakistan, says Unicef New Zealand.

So far, UNICEF International is committed to raising $NZ67 million for the next three months of relief programmes in Pakistan.

The flooding appears to be the worse in living memory.

More than 14 million people – almost one in every ten Pakistanis – have been affected by the flood. More than 1200 people are dead.

“This means a massive scaling up is needed in the relief operation,” says UNICEF New Zealand executive director Dennis McKinlay.

“If humanitarian assistance for clean water and hygiene education, as well as for health care is not provided soon enough, there could be a second wave of death caused by waterborne diseases,” he says.

But Mr McKinlay says Kiwis shouldn’t be put off by the size of the problem or the amount of money needed.

“Kiwis are always generous givers and small donations can make a huge difference,” he says.

For example $NZ30 worth of ‘plumpy nut’ high calorie, high protein babyfood bars, which Unicef distributes, can feed a malnourished baby for one month.

Twenty five dollars will buy 17 packets of high protein biscuits, suitable for young children.

$NZ10 will buy enough rehydration packs for 100 children.

Longer term, it will be necessary to assist in rebuilding livelihoods, as field crops have been destroyed in many areas.

“It is a race against time for UNICEF and other agencies to deliver supplies. The waters are still rising and people are bracing themselves for flood waves as rivers overflow and the rains continue,”he says.

ENDS

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