Flooding aftermath
Flooding, a frequent natural calamity in our new climate change reality, has increasingly had catastrophic outcomes, including loss of lives and properties, with lingering impacts on the health and welfare of the affected population. The recent floods in Pakistan have been rather disastrous for the nutritional status of individuals living in the affected areas. A recent report released by the UN states that malnutrition rates have witnessed a surge in the flood-hit areas, with approximately 2.3 million people impacted. Of this, 370,000 children under the age of five are grappling with acute malnutrition, which can have profound implications on their physical and mental development.
The detailed report underscores the critical need for prompt and effective action by all stakeholders, especially the government and humanitarian organisations, to address this pressing issue and provide relief to those that have been suffering for the past many months under horrible circumstances. In particularly, it is incumbent upon the government to undertake immediate action to address this by providing food aid and medical support, and access to clean drinking water to those in need. The international community must also rise to the occasion and offer financial assistance to support the government’s efforts to tackle this crisis. Promises by them have not yet been fulfilled to the fullest. Apart from short-term relief measures, there is an urgent need for long-term solutions to prevent such situations from arising in the future, as the frequency and severity of these natural disasters will only increase with time. This necessitates investing in better infrastructure, such as flood-resistant housing and improved irrigation systems, as well as imparting education on nutrition and health to the masses.
Lack of timely intervention could have long-lasting implications on affected populations. It is imperative for the government and the international community to unite and provide the requisite aid in a timely manner. A powerful, concerted response is required.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 20th, 2023.
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