'Disaster' Pakistan Flood Death Toll Reaches 1,300... "Death Toll Expected to Rise"

33 Million People Affected by Floods in Pakistan
"Death Toll Continues to Rise"

A man is moving his belongings on the 31st of last month (local time) in Sindh Province, Pakistan, which was swept by floods. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Juri Kim] It has been reported that over 1,300 people have died due to flooding in Pakistan, with approximately 360 of the deceased being children. Since June, monsoon rains have caused one-third of Pakistan's territory to be submerged.

On the 4th (local time), according to foreign media including CNN, Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority announced, "1,282 people have died from flood damage in Pakistan, and one-third of them are children."

Foreign media further estimated that more than 33 million people have been affected by the floods in Pakistan, stating, "The death toll continues to rise," and "Long-term aid is necessary."

The damage caused by the floods due to heavy rain is estimated to exceed 13 trillion won. According to major foreign media on the 30th of last month, Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan's Minister of Planning Development, stated, "The preliminary estimate of recent flood damage has far exceeded 10 billion dollars (approximately 13.5 trillion won)."

Children in the Jafarabad area of Balochistan province, Pakistan, submerged by the great flood, are crossing the flooded area. Photo by Save the Children

Meanwhile, the number of displaced persons in Pakistan is estimated to be around 210,000, with half of them being children.

Qurram Gondal, head of Save the Children Pakistan office, said, "690,000 houses, about 19,000 schools, and over 100 health facilities have been flooded due to heavy rain," adding, "We urgently call on the international community for humanitarian aid to safely protect the lives of children and families."

In response, Save the Children has designated Pakistan as a priority country for humanitarian aid and plans to provide $50 million (approximately 67.9 billion won) in humanitarian assistance. At the same time, response teams will be dispatched to the severely affected southwestern Balochistan province and southeastern Sindh province to carry out emergency relief efforts.

Save the Children Korea will also support emergency relief fundraising with $100,000 (approximately 140 million won).