The floods that hit Pakistan in 2020 continue to have a devastating impact on the country’s access to clean water. A recent UN report reveals that over 10 million people in the nation are still without safe water, even after almost a year has passed since the disaster.
UN Report: Pakistan Floods Leave 10M Without Safe Water
The report states that the flooding has severely damaged water supply systems across multiple districts in Pakistan. Moreover, the destruction of dams, canals, and other water infrastructures has resulted in massive water shortages in the affected areas. This situation has led to a significant increase in the number of waterborne diseases and infections, such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid.
The UN report also highlights that women and children are disproportionately affected by the water crisis, as they are the ones typically responsible for fetching water from distant sources. This chore now takes longer and exposes them to health risks from contaminated water sources. Additionally, the lack of access to safe water has forced many families to rely on questionable water sources, further exacerbating the spread of diseases.
Flooding Continues to Impact Access to Clean Water in Pakistan
Even though the floods occurred almost a year ago, the impact of the disaster still lingers. The report notes that the continuous flooding has hindered the rehabilitation of water systems and the provision of aid to affected communities. Limited access to roads and other transportation infrastructure has made it difficult to deliver aid and equipment to repair damaged water infrastructure.
Furthermore, the pandemic has also worsened the situation, as efforts to control the spread of the virus, such as quarantine measures, have disrupted the distribution of relief goods and services. Despite the challenges, humanitarian organizations continue to work with local authorities to provide clean water and sanitation facilities to affected communities.
The UN report serves as a reminder that access to safe water is essential for health, well-being, and economic development. The international community must continue to support Pakistan in rehabilitating the water supply systems and providing aid to affected communities. It is crucial that sustainable solutions are implemented to ensure that similar disasters do not deprive people of their basic human rights in the future.
