Pakistan's extreme monsoon - 16th September 2022

Pakistan's monsoon deluge has resulted in over 1,400 deaths and has racked up $10 billion worth of damages. In a joint effort, the United Nations and the government have made an appeal for "an immense humanitarian response." 

Ranking the floods at its highest level - an emergency rating of grade three- the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released $10 million in emergency funds. 

Bolstering the appeal, here's WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: "More than 1000 deaths have been reported, and almost 900 health facilities have been damaged. Three quarters of Pakistan's districts and 33 million people have been affected, with more than 6 million in dire need of humanitarian aid."

With nearly a third of the country inundated, people like Irfan Ali are having to be airlifted to safety by helicopter in provinces such as Balochistan. 

Irfan Ali: "We were stuck in the flood water for 15 days, we waved towards the helicopter, then we were rescued by the forces."

Homes, livelihoods and crops have been wiped out by the floods, resulting in a food shortage, which sees Imran Ali and family relying on this relief camp for meals.

Imran Ali: "We have been here for 15 days, we have no problem here, we are getting food and drink every day and apart from that, we are also getting ration. We are thankful to the district administration and forces."

This has been an unprecedented monsoon season, with persistent downpours starting a whole month ahead of schedule, inundating large sections of the country. Scientists say climate change is to blame and that although Pakistan contributes a mere one percent of greenhouse gases, its geography leaves it vulnerable to the extreme negative impacts. 

Whilst humanitarian aid is welcomed, WHO's Director General is demanding wide scale urgent climate action. 

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: "Floods in Pakistan, drought and famine in the Greater Horn of Africa, and more frequent and intense cyclones in the Pacific and Caribbean all point to the urgent need for action against the existential threat of climate change."