Pakistan's under water - 16th September 2022

Flooding in Pakistan has already claimed nearly 1,400 lives and caused $10bn in damage. The United Nations and the government of Pakistan have jointly appealed for "an immense humanitarian response" to help the country.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has given the flooding a grade three emergency rating - its highest level - and have announced the immediate release of $10 million from their emergency fund to help.

WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: "More than 1000 deaths have been reported, and almost 900 health facilities have been damaged. Three quarters of Pakistan's districts and 33 million people have been affected, with more than 6 million in dire need of humanitarian aid."

Almost one third of the country is under water. In Balochistan province, people are being rescued by helicopter and taken to relief camps. Irfan Ali was one of those rescued.

Irfan Ali: "We were stuck in the flood water for 15 days, we waved towards the helicopter, then we were rescued by the forces."

People have lost their homes, livelihoods and their crops. Imran Ali and his family have already been in the relief camp for two weeks; they're relying on the help provided there.

Imran Ali: "We have been here for 15 days, we have no problem here, we are getting food and drink every day and apart from that, we are also getting ration. We are thankful to the district administration and forces."

The monsoon rains, which started earlier than usual, are continuing at an unprecedented level. According to scientists, the flooding is due to climate change, which impacts Pakistan more severely because of its geography, even though it produces less than one percent of the world's greenhouse gases.

The Director General of the WHO believes beyond the immediate emergency disaster measures, the world needs to take action on climate change.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: "Floods in Pakistan, drought and famine in the Greater Horn of Africa, and more frequent and intense cyclones in the Pacific and Caribbean all point to the urgent need for action against the existential threat of climate change."