UNICEF APPEALS FOR US$47.3 MLN TO HELP PAKISTAN FLOOD VICTIMS

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Unicef is appealing for US$47.3 million to fund
its relief operations for millions of flood victims in Pakistan, including an
estimated 1.4 million children.

Its representative in Pakistan, Martin Mogwanja, said the organisation was
ramping up its relief operations in the country.

He said that many of the victims were children who were especially
vulnerable to disease and the current harsh conditions.

"They need water, medicine, food and shelter urgently. Our immediate
priority is to reach all those hit by the flooding, especially those in the most
remote areas," he said, according to the Unicef website.

Pakistan is facing the worst flooding in more than 80 years.

Some four million people are reported to have been affected by heavy monsoon
rains.

Unicef said its relief operations would concentrate on the critical areas of
water and sanitation, health, nutrition, education and child protection.

The largest part of the operation is the provision of water and sanitation
systems to head off the outbreak of diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera,
especially deadly to children.

Unicef said it was already providing clean drinking water to over half a
million people and would bring in emergency food rations and emergency health
kits.
-- BERNAMA