ISLAMABAD: France has allocated three million euros (nearly $3.27 million) to support UNICEF’s humanitarian response in flood-hit areas of Pakistan.
The funding will boost primary healthcare and immunization services in the most affected districts in Sindh, targeting 1.9 million women and children.
This contribution from France follows the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan, co-organized by the UN and Pakistan in Geneva, earlier this year.
The conference successfully garnered international support for flood recovery and rehabilitation, as well as long-term partnerships to build climate resilience and adaptation system in Pakistan.
French ambassador to Pakistan Nicolas Galey said that children are often the first victims of natural disasters and crises, but also those who bear invisible sufferings for the longest time. France is pleased to partner with UNICEF to increase access to primary health care and boost immunization services for the most vulnerable communities in Sindh.
Sindh was particularly hard hit by floods in 2022. Nearly 14.5 million people were affected and almost one thousand health facilities were damaged or destroyed. People and health workers were displaced, while medical supplies and services were disrupted and damaged.
UNICEF Accesses 3.6 Million People
Over the past year, UNICEF has accessed 3.6 million people with primary healthcare services in flood-hit areas, but for many communities, adequate healthcare is still inaccessible.
UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Abdullah Fadil said that the onset of the monsoon increases the health risks for women and children in flood-hit areas. The spread of illnesses, such as malaria, dengue and Acute Watery Diarrhoea, are a special concern. This important and generous funding from France enables UNICEF to boost critical healthcare and strengthen immunization services during a time of great need.
Last year’s devastating floods affected about 33 million people, including sixteen million children, and were widely recognized as a climate-induced disaster.
