The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has taken more than two months to finalise the damage and needs assessment report of flood 2011, sources informed this correspondent. Well-placed sources in NDMA blamed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority of Sindh and Balochistan for delaying the release of the flood assessment data that includes loss to agriculture, damage to infrastructure and displacement of a large number of people.
NDMA sources maintained that the flood data was supposed to be released before Eid-ul Azha but was postponed and would now likely be released on November 16. The United Nation's agencies in collaboration with the NDMA, the PDMA of Sindh and Districts' Disasters Management Committees started conducting an assessment of loss incurred during the recent floods in Sindh in August 2011.
Two months after the floods have receded millions of people are still without basic facilities of life. Healthcare, clean water and sanitation are needed to stem a looming public health crisis. The precarious food system is under threat as there is an acute food shortage, and many farmers will miss the winter cropping season. With winter approaching fast, millions of people who are still without shelter will be left out in the cold.
Chairman NDMA, Zafar Iqbal told Business Recorder, "I think we will release the flood assessment data earlier as compared to the flood 2010. Around 3 weeks will be taken to compile the data of recent floods collected through different sources and placed by the UN agencies before the Authority. Final report will probably be released in a day". Chairman said that it would take 22-25 days to dewater some Tehsils of Thatha, Badin, Umarkot, and Mirpur khas and it will take two weeks to dewater Sanghar and Kot Jan Muhammad, the Chairman added.
According to an estimate, over nine million people have been affected by the floods that hit in August. More than two months into the disaster, over 1.58 million houses in Sindh and 26,000 in Balochistan were damaged. Diseases are on the rise and the lives of at least two million adults and three million children are at risk. Stagnant waters and approaching winter season have strengthened the risk of a major outbreak of dengue, malaria and acute respiratory infection. Over 160,000 pregnant women require lifesaving medical services in the next six months.
Over 67 percent of food stocks and 73 percent of the crops in thirteen districts of Sindh have been destroyed. Additionally farmers whose fields are under water will miss the winter planting season which begins now leading to food shortages. Approximately 3.6 million people urgently require agricultural support to resume food production and income generation activities.
When contacted Mian Abdul Haq Mian Mithu, MNA from Ghotki (Sindh) said that the government has released Rs 10.25 million for rescue and relief operations in his district, adding, "We have already decided to dewater the Ghotki city within the next few days and are making all out efforts in this regard".
The programmes of UN agencies also are affected by the sluggish funding. The UN's $357 million appeal has only generated $96.5 million so far. "The 2011 floods flash appeal remains distressingly under funded with a 73 per cent shortfall and if more funding is not received relief supplies will run out within weeks which impacts UN agencies from providing life-saving clean water, sanitation, food, shelter and healthcare" said Stacey Winston, UN Spokesperson earlier this month.
The flood 2010 assessment was carried out by the World Bank and the ADB and revealed that the floods that swept across Pakistan last year caused estimated $9.7 billion damage to infrastructure, farms, homes, as well as other direct and indirect losses.
The Flood Assessment report compiled by ADB and the World Bank was released on November14, 2010 after passing 75 days of the floods. When Business Recorder asked the concerned authorities about the expected time of release of the Flood Assessment Report 2011, World Bank replied, "The Government of Pakistan has requested the ADB and the World Bank to jointly lead Damage and Needs Assessment for Balochistan and Sindh in the wake of the heavy rains in 2011. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will co-ordinate all aspects of the DNA.
The DNA teams will get secondary data from the provincial governments through the NDMA and will use various methods and techniques to validate the veracity and accuracy of the data pertaining to damages. Sector teams for the DNA have been mobilised and field visits, sector analysis and consultative process is expected to take 3 to 4 weeks depending upon the availability of data and access to rain-affected districts for spot checks. The DNA report is expected to be finalised by early December 2011".