'Waves of Death': WHO Warns of Second Deadly Disaster in Pakistan After Floods

The unprecedented floods in Pakistan in August-September have covered one-third of the country in water, claiming over 1,500 lives and displacing more than 30 million people. Pakistan's government estimates that the recent flood causes economic losses totaling around $30 billion.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a “second disaster” of disease and death in Pakistan as the flood water has started receding from streets and residential areas in the country.

Deeply concerned about the potential for a 2nd disaster in #Pakistan, spreading disease and threatening lives following the flooding. If we act quickly to protect the health system and deliver essential services, we can reduce the impact of this impending health crisis. pic.twitter.com/4JbyY0gP6r

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) September 17, 2022

The WHO chief said that as the water supply in the country remains disrupted, people are now forced to drink unsafe water, which can spread water-borne diseases like cholera and diarrhoea.

He also said that flood water, which entered residential areas, is now stagnant and “serving as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and spreading vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue.”

Meanwhile, the WHO provided water purification kits and oral rehydration salts to prevent diarrheal diseases. The health organization also released a fund of $10 million to provide essential medicine and other supplies.

“Health workers in Pakistan are stretched to the limit as they do all they can to deliver critical services amid the destruction. Nearly 2,000 health facilities have been fully or partially damaged,” Tedros said.

Meanwhile, a total of 2.5 million patients had been treated at different medical camps across Sindh province from July to date (September 18), which is also the most affected area due to flood, Dawn.com reported citing Sindh Directorate General Health Services.