Source: UN Children's Fund
Country: Pakistan
OVERVIEW

UNICEF Pakistan needs US$ 2,828,000 to achieve the critical level of preparedness required to enable an immediate emergency response, given the indication of major floods, combined with areas of drought, affecting the country for the third year in a row.

Funds will be used to pre-position...OVERVIEW

UNICEF Pakistan needs US$ 2,828,000 to achieve the critical level of preparedness required to enable an immediate emergency response, given the indication of major floods, combined with areas of drought, affecting the country for the third year in a row.

Funds will be used to pre-position a critical package of emergency supplies, which will allow UNICEF to reach immediately large numbers of affected people in three key-life saving sectors, Health, Nutrition and WASH. Funds will also be utilized to secure the minimal coordination capacity in WASH and Nutrition.

UNICEF has already started prepositioning sufficient supplies to cover an overall caseload of 100,000 people with maternal and child health services and vaccinations; community management of acute malnutrition; water, sanitation and hygiene services; Temporary Learning Centers; and Protective Learning and Community Emergency Services (PLaCES).

Monsoon Preparedness

In 2010 and 2011, Pakistan experienced some of the worst floods in history. The mega-floods of 2010 affected over 18 million people. In 2011, major floods affected Sindh and part of Balochistan provinces affecting at least 5.2 million people. Although the Pakistan Meteorological department forecasts that the monsoons in 2012 may only range between 5-15% above normal levels, it is vital to prepare for the likelihood of serious floods in 2012, as the 2010 and 2011 unexpected floods proved. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) foresees the worst case scenario would affect 29 million people affected in 29 districts across Pakistan. Provincial and regional meteorological forecasting is for localized flooding and also areas of drought. This has already been occurring.

UNICEF has made extensive preparations, with partners, for disasters, whether drought, floods or man-made crisis; however, funds are needed to prepare and pre-position supplies for the eventuality of a crisis. UNICEF has identified a need for US$ 2.8 million to ensure that critical responses can be made without delay.

UNICEF has defined critical response packages in Health, Nutrition and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), based on UNICEF’s Core Commitments to Children in Emergencies, with the aim of ensuring maximum coverage of life-saving interventions with the most basic emergency items for children and women. Given projected needs and available supplies, funds for education and child protection will be requested at the onset of an emergency.

The Government of Pakistan, the United Nations (through individual agency plans, OCHA and Cluster mechanisms) and a number of international and national NGOs have made crisis preparedness a key priority in 2012. Led by NDMA/PDMA and OCHA, national contingency plans have been developed and regional workshops organized in Balochistan and Sindh.