According to the World Health Organization (WHO), while Pakistan continues its unrelenting fight against fatal floods, the current flood situation would most certainly accelerate the spread of illness, especially if and when response capabilities are hampered.
The WHO said in its most recent situation report on flooding in Pakistan that the high monsoon rains that began in Pakistan in mid-July 2022 are still occurring in several areas of the nation and have affected 116 districts (or 75%) out of 154 districts nationwide. Balochistan is the second-most impacted province after Sindh.
The WHO study noted that as of August 25, 2022, more than 33 million people had been impacted and that 6.4 million people, including 421,000 refugees, were in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. There have been more than 1,100 fatalities and close to 15,000 injuries.
The WHO study concentrated on the “severe” impact on healthcare facilities, noting that as of August 28, 2022, 888 healthcare facilities nationwide had suffered damage, of which 180 have sustained total devastation. The research stated that the key health concerns at this time are access to healthcare facilities, healthcare professionals, and necessary medications and medical supplies.
