Imdad Hussain Siddiqi, Director of Operations at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh, led a high-level meeting with humanitarian partners to coordinate efforts addressing the widespread devastation caused by recent floods across the province. The meeting took place at PDMA’s conference hall and saw the participation of representatives from UN agencies and multiple international and national NGOs, including UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, WHO, and others. The focus of the session was on ensuring coordinated efforts in the flood-affected districts of Mirpurkhas, Sanghar, Badin, Matiari, Khairpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Sajawal, Dadu, Jacobabad, and Umerkot. The primary concerns included health, education, water, sanitation, and the urgent need for dewatering in areas still grappling with stagnant water affecting schools and healthcare facilities.
Siddiqi shared that from July 1 to September 5, 2024, the floods claimed 73 lives, injured 153 people, destroyed 932 livestock, and displaced 141,601 residents. Furthermore, 327 houses were partially damaged, and 198 homes were completely destroyed. To date, 163 relief camps and 40 medical camps have been set up, along with the vaccination of over 6.9 million animals. Relief items like tents, mosquito nets, and hygiene kits have been distributed from warehouses in Karachi, Jamshoro, and Sukkur.
He further highlighted the impact of the floods on education and agriculture, revealing that over 230,000 students have been affected and 325,245 acres of crops damaged. The situation at Gudu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages remains critical, with Kotri experiencing a medium flood level. Siddiqi urged humanitarian partners to explore innovative solutions for future flood mitigation, including researching sky-lightening to prevent casualties.
