DROUGHT - PAKISTAN

UPDATE No. 3
25 May 2000

Situation:

The latest information on losses and damages in the drought-striken provinces of Balochistan and Sindh received from the Emergency Relief Cell (ERC), Cabinet Division, Government of Pakistan is attached for your information. The data indicates the extent and intensity of drought in both the Provinces and signifies the level of suffering of the affected population.

National Relief Assistance Measures:

The relief operations in the drought-affected areas are continuing. The Federal Government has announced Rs. 1.5 billion in addition to its earlier commitment for Balochistan and Rs. 1.0 billion for Sindh. Both the Provincial Governments have declared the drought hit areas as the "Calamity Affected Areas" so as to provide exemption in payment of land revenues, postponement of unpaid dues and provision of relief assistance to the affected people. The Provincial Governments are also assisting the rapid assessment missions fielded by the UN System. The Provincial Governments of NWFP and Punjab have also donated relief assistance to the affected provinces both in cash and kind. Local NGOs are also providing relief assistance to the affected people and fodder for livestock.

International Response:

In addition to the kind contribution by UN Agencies in Islamabad, the following contributions have been made by various bilateral and multi-lateral sources so far:

Turkey (US$ 3 million)
Norway (US$ 22,000 – through OCHA)
UAE (Rs. 13.642 million in kind)
UNOCHA (US$ 30,000)
DFID (2 Million Pound Sterling to WFP for three countries)
USA (US$ 45,000)

Members of the UN FAO/WFP Crop and Food Assessment team are now finalizing their draft reports and will be presenting results of their assessment of Balochistan at UNDMT meeting taking place on 26 May, 2000. Donors/Resident Missions/NGOs will be invited to participate in the UNDMT meeting. Details of the briefing would be shared in the next update.

The United Nations System in Pakistan, in cooperation with the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom, has fielded a nine person’s team to assess the effects of the drought in Balochistan and Sindh provinces in respect of non-food issues. The consultants arrived in Islamabad on 21^st May 2000 and joined other members of the team supported by WHO and UNICEF. After having preliminary discussions with the Federal Government Officials and UNDMT, they left for Balochistan and Sindh on 24^th May 2000. The team will return to Islamabad on 6 June, 2000.

Based on the findings of the UN Rapid Assessment Team, a detailed report will be prepared and shared with all concerned in due course for future action.