UN $2bn flood-aid call answered 45pc

UNITED NATIONS: UN has said the $2 billion aid appeal  for   Pakistan’s flood victims, the largest-ever launched by any international body for a natural disaster, now stands funded by 45 per cent.

To a question at the regular noon briefing, Spokesman Farhan Haq said although the response to the appeal was improving, the United Nations continues to urge the international community to provide more funding. The appeal was launched a month ago, more than quadrupling the original $460 million sought in August as the full scope of the floods became clear. The disaster has claimed some 2,000 lives, exposing over 20 million others to homelessness, malnutrition, risks of epidemics and loss of livelihood as the waters steamrolled down from north to south, damaging or destroying nearly 1.9 million homes and devastating at least 160,000 square kilometres.
To another question, Farhan Haq said the UN is assessing the health situation in flood-affected areas and is taking measures to prevent the outbreak of any disease.The UN has said the over 2.06 billion dollars appeal would cover 483 projects to be implemented by 15 UN organisations, the International Organisation of Migration and 156 non-governmental organisations.

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