Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Russian Foreign Ministry: Yesterday's bloodshed in Kosovo is a direct result of Prime Minister Kurti's policy of fueling the conflict and cleansing the region of Serbs.
The Israeli occupation forces opened fire at Palestinian protesters near the Separation Wall in eastern Gaza.
Russian Interior Ministry puts ICC Chair Piotr Hofmanski on wanted list
Ankara has not yet discussed with Moscow the proposal for a meeting of the heads of Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan, but there are plans: Diplomatic source in Ankara to Sputnik
Libyan Public Prosecutor’s Office: The body investigating the collapse of the Derna dams issues criminal cases against 16 officials
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: SDF announces a general lockdown in the area extending from the town of Al-Shuhail all the way to Al-Baghouz in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor
Russian air defense destroys Ukrainian drone over Belgorod Region: Russian MoD
Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources: Ethiopia retracted from previously reached agreements within the framework of the negotiating process on the Renaissance Dam.
Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation: The tripartite ministerial meeting regarding the Renaissance Dam did not achieve progress.
Gaza Ministry of Health: 6 Palestinians wounded by IOF fire east of Gaza Strip.

WHO: Pakistan at risk of major disease outbreak following floods

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: UN.org
  • 2 Sep 2022 14:26
  • 1 Shares

The climate emergency in Pakistan is rippling to other humanitarian disasters.

  • Pakistan flood 'grade 3 emergency', over 1,000 dead: UN chief
    Victims of the flood in Pakistan, trying to survive. (Getty Images)

As floods in Pakistan risk sinking one-third of the country in water, top UN chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the classification of the situation in the country as a grade 3 emergency, which is the highest level of emergency in the UN book - especially as risks of disease outbreaks skyrocket. 

A grade 3 emergency entails that all three levels of the United Nations are working in response: the country and regional offices, as well as the UN headquarters in Geneva. 

“Floods in Pakistan, drought and famine in the Greater Horn of Africa, and more frequent and intense cyclones in the Pacific and Caribbean all point to the urgent need for action against the existential threat of climate change,” Ghebreyesus said in Geneva at a regular briefing. 

Over 33 million people and 75% of all districts have been affected by the flooding, which was caused by monsoon rains.

According to the World Health Organization, a minimum of 1,000 have been killed and 1,500 injured. In addition, more than 161,000 are currently living in camps. 

Related News

WHO seeking global certificate system, inspired by EU's Covid pass

WHO lays out plan to support tobacco farmers to start growing food

While 900 health centers and facilities in the country have been damaged,180 of them are completely damaged and rendered ineffective, leaving thousands affected with no healthcare. 

Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, revealed that the “WHO has initiated an immediate response to treat the injured, provide life-saving supplies to health facilities, support mobile health teams, and prevent the spread of infectious diseases."

The impact of the current flood on Pakistanis is a lot more severe than previous floods, including the 2010 Pakistan floods.

Fears of potential disease outbreak

The floods aren't only killing people, they're also triggering disease outbreaks, including acute water diarrhea, dengue fever, malaria, polio and even COVID-19. Most of these cases come where water and sanitation facilities have been damaged. 

“WHO is working with health authorities to respond quickly and effectively on the ground. Our key priorities now are to ensure rapid access to essential health services to the flood-affected population strengthen and expand disease surveillance, outbreak prevention and control, and ensure robust health cluster coordination,” said Dr. Palitha Mahipala, WHO Representative in Pakistan. 

Islamabad, responding to the emergency, established control rooms and medical camps over the country, in addition to organizing air evacuation operations, and conducting health awareness sessions on waterborne and vector-borne diseases, among other steps.

Global warming was leading the glaciers in mountainous northern regions to melt faster than usual, aggravating the impact of heavy rain, according to Pakistan senator and federal minister for climate change, Sherry Rehman. 7,532 is the number of glaciers Pakistan has, a number that is bigger than anywhere outside the polar regions. This causes Pakistan to be one of the countries most exposed to climate change-related weather extremes. 

  • United Nations
  • Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
  • Pakistan
STOP THE HEAT: A Climate Change Coverage

STOP THE HEAT: A Climate Change Coverage

Most Read

Russia destroyed leopard tank in Ukraine with fully-German crew

Russia destroyed leopard tank in Ukraine with fully-German crew

  • Europe
  • 23 Sep 2023
Ukrainian soldiers ride an APC on the front line near Bakhmut, in the Donetsk region, on June 5, 2023 (AP)

US sees Ukrainian army demoralized, no chance to win: Seymour Hersh

  • Europe
  • 21 Sep 2023
Blinken’s ‘Variable Geometry’ for a New Cold War

Blinken’s ‘Variable Geometry’ for a New Cold War

  • Analysis
  • 24 Sep 2023
British mercenary in Ukraine killed by another Brit

British mercenary in Ukraine killed by another Brit

  • Europe
  • 18 Sep 2023

Coverage

All
Morocco & Libya Disasters

Read Next

All
Tehran Times
Palestine

Iran obtains 70,000+ pages of Israeli judicial documents: Tehran Times

Cuban flag flutters inside the Cuban embassy in Washington (AP)
US & Canada

Cuban Embassy in US comes under 'terrorist' attack

Post-ABC poll showing clear Trump lead over Biden draws criticism from experts.
US & Canada

Post-ABC poll showing clear Trump lead over Biden comes under fire

A woman picks tea leaves in Chepsonoi, Nandi county, in western Kenya on Aug. 13, 2022 (AP)
Africa

Money requital not enough for Unilever Kenya plantation killings, rape

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS