Tuesday will see the formal launch of a plea by the UN and Islamabad for $160 million to support humanitarian aid for Pakistan, which is suffering from the worst monsoon floods in ten years.
Over 1,100 deaths have been reported by Pakistani authorities since the beginning of the seasonal rains in June, but the actual death toll may be higher. One in seven Pakistanis, or more than 33 million people, have been impacted by the flooding this year.
The UN Secretary-spokesperson, General's Stephane Dujarric, stated during a press conference on Monday that "the situation is projected to worsen with further continuing rainfall."
He said, "With the (Pakistani) government, we are setting up a flash appeal of $160 million for emergency relief measures.The request will formally launch on Tuesday.
In order to address the more pressing needs, including those for food, water, medical supplies, and shelter, the UN has "already deployed roughly $7 million, including diverting existing programmes and resources."
The UN emergency response fund has made $3 million more available.
