Six million Pakistanis relying on international food aid after being displaced by summer monsoons are facing the additional danger of running out of food aid. According to a report by the BBC, the United Nations coordinator for humanitarian aid in Pakistan, Martin Mogwanja, recently warned of malnutrition already setting in, and only growing by December, when current aid funds are expected to run out.
In explaining the need on-the-ground, Mr. Mogwanja said,
“The food stocks… are not sufficient to take us through into December, so there are a number of areas we are seeing increases in malnutrition of children…We really now need additional resources, urgently to ensure that the continuing relief needs are addressed particularly through the winter.”
The United Nations launched a $2 billion appeal from member governments for Pakistan’s flood victims in September 2010, but the request has only received 39% of its funding to date.
Read more about the UN’s work for the victims of the flood and how you can help through the UN World Food Programme and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Posted by Michael Lucivero.
Photo credit: National Geographic.
