Islamabad: The recent monsoon season has left significant devastation across Pakistan, with a total of 354 fatalities and hundreds injured. The provinces of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh, Balochistan, Pakistan-administered Kashmir (P.A.K), and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) have suffered considerable damage, affecting over 202,000 children and causing widespread destruction to infrastructure including schools, roads, and bridges.
According to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the most affected province in terms of casualties is Punjab with 123 deaths and 317 injuries. KP follows closely with 101 fatalities and 144 injuries. In Sindh, there are 76 reported deaths and 159 injuries, while Balochistan recorded 42 deaths and 19 injuries. The regions of P.A.K and GB have the least casualties with 8 and 4 respectively.
The structural impact includes 78,608 houses damaged across the country, with 18,872 completely destroyed and 59,736 partially damaged. Infrastructure has also severely suffered; 35 bridges have collapsed, and 120 kilometers of road have been washed away. The agricultural sector is notably affected with 1,994 livestock lost.
The government’s response to this crisis includes the distribution of 2,885 tents, 666 ration bags, 1,501 blankets, 980 mosquito nets, 1,004 plastic mats, 564 kitchen sets, 438 jerry cans, and 700 non-food item (NFI) kits to support the affected populations.
Immediate needs listed in the report include food items, food supplements, cash assistance, and agricultural supplies. There is also a critical need for the restoration of water supply and irrigation channels, clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, hygiene and nutrition supplies, medical camps, and winterization kits. Additionally, the report highlights the urgent requirement for school supplies, debris removal, and the de-watering of stagnant water to prevent further health hazards.
The comprehensive data compiled in this report underscores the vast scale of the monsoon’s impact and the pressing need for continued aid and recovery efforts to address the extensive human and infrastructural losses.