The World Health Organization on Saturday expressed deep concerns about the potential for a “second disaster in Pakistan: a wave of diseases and deaths” following the unprecedented floods caused by climate change, which have claimed over 1,500 lives and submerged one-third of Pakistan.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that health centres had been flooded, their supplies damaged and people had moved away from homes. “I am deeply concerned about the potential for a second disaster in Pakistan: a wave of diseases and deaths following this catastrophe linked to climate change that has severely impacted vital health systems leaving millions vulnerable,” said the WHO chief in a statement.
He maintained that the water supply is disrupted, forcing people to drink unsafe water, and spreading cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases.
“The water supply is disrupted, forcing people to drink unsafe water, which can spread cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases. Standing water enables mosquitoes to breed and spread vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue,” said Tedros.
He also said that catastrophic floods in Pakistan mean “more unsafe births, more untreated diabetes or heart disease, and more children missing vaccination.”
Explaining the impacts on health, the WHO chief suggested acting quickly to protect health and deliver essential health services.
“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. Together with the government of Pakistan, UN and NGO partners,