The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expressed sympathies for the millions of flood victims in Pakistan and pledged to cooperate with other members of the international community to support the government’s relief and recovery efforts under the present program.
The statement said that the IMF was “deeply saddened” by the devastating impact of the recent floods in Pakistan and extended its sympathies to the millions of flood victims.
“Our sympathies go to the millions of victims of the floods,” she said.
“We will collaborate with other members of the international community to support the government’s relief and reconstruction operations, particularly its continuous commitment to serve flood victims while guaranteeing sustainable policies and macroeconomic stability.”
More than 1,500 people have died as a result of Pakistan’s record floods, which have swamped vast areas of the South Asian country. Relief efforts for the millions of people affected by the crisis are expected to increase.
Devastation occurs as Pakistan continues to receive aid from the IMF, whose bailout program was just recently reactivated with the lender’s Executive Board’s approval late last month.
However, many believe that in light of the extensive damage caused by the floods, the government will need to priorities flood assistance while putting the changes it agreed to with the IMF on hold.
The IMF’s announcement also comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the alarm about a “second disaster” in the wake of deadly floods in Pakistan in the form of a new wave of diseases and deaths.
“I am deeply concerned about the potential for a second disaster in Pakistan: a wave of disease and death following this catastrophe, linked to climate change, that has severely impacted vital health systems leaving millions vulnerable,” WHO’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on Saturday.
“The water supply is disrupted, forcing people to drink unsafe water,” he said. “But if we act quickly to protect health and deliver essential health services, we can significantly reduce the impact of this impending crisis.”
The WHO official also warned health workers in Pakistan were stretched to the limit as they were doing all they can to deliver critical services amid the destruction.
“Nearly 2,000 health facilities have been fully or partially damaged,” he maintained.
