Second wave of flooding increases displacements in southern Pakistan

A “second wave” of flooding has hit Sindh province in southern Pakistan, adding to the number of people already affected by the crisis.

Plan’s response areas in Sindh have experienced a second wave of flooding, driven by the southward movement of floodwaters and exacerbated by recent rains. More evacuations have taken place in low-lying areas of Hyderabad and Jacobabad, where large parts of the province are still under water.

As many as 1 million new displacements have occured in the last few days.

In Punjab, floodwaters in Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh and Dera Ghazi Khan districts – amongst the worst affected in the province – are now receding as waters flow south.

With the new floods increasing the number of displaced populations, food shortages and lack of shelter remain top concerns. Health and hygiene is also becoming a serious issue, as incidences of waterborne diseases and insect and snake bites increase.

Dr. Irfan Ahmed, Plan's health advisor in Pakistan, said: “The current situation can lead to a steep increase in the incidences of diarrhea, typhoid, cholera, heat stroke and skin diseases. Urgent measures are needed to address the needs of the millions of children whose lives are at risk.”

Plan continues to work with local partners in Sindh – including Ghotki, Khairpur, and Thatta districts, which has seen some of the worst of the second wave of flooding – to meet the needs of the affected populations.

To date, Plan has provided cooked food to nearly 300,000 people, distributed special child nutrition packs, set up tents to provide families with shelter, and installed water hand pumps in the camps. Hygiene kits containing disinfectant, detergent, sanitary towels, toothpaste and other essential items continue to be distributed in both Punjab and Sindh.

Plan is beginning to focus not only on cooked food aid, but dry food rations as well: According to estimates, up to 6 million people are currently in need of food assistance over the next 3 months. Plan continues to target the highly vulnerable populations of children and pregnant and lactating women, distributing supplementary food, high-energy biscuits and infant milk to prevent further deterioration of their nutritional status.

As concerns over child safety grow, Plan is also scaling up child protection measures. More child-friendly spaces are being set up to keep children safe, and give them access to education, recreation and psychosocial activities.

Plan staff are also raising awareness of child protection issues with volunteers and parents in the camps through training, posters, and orientation sessions.

Please help Plan continue this vital work by supporting children and families affected by the Pakistan floods today.