PAKISTAN: UN CHIEF SHOCKED BY DEVASTATION, URGES INCREASED WORLD SUPPORT

(New York / Geneva / Islamabad: 15 August 2010): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today visited Pakistan, to see for himself the human suffering and damage caused by the current floods - a disaster which is still unfolding.

"This has been a heart-wrenching day, and I will never forget the destruction and suffering that I have witnessed", said Mr. Ban. "I have visited the scenes of many natural disasters around the world, but nothing like this. The scale is so large: so many people, in so many places, in so much need".

Pakistan's deadly floods have now affected up to 20 million people, according to estimates released by the Government. Over the coming weeks, the United Nations and its partners plan to assist at least eight million people who are in urgent need of life-saving shelter, food, clean water, and medication. Based on a preliminary assessment of immediate needs, they have already requested US$ 459.7 million to achieve this, through the Pakistan Initial Floods Emergency Response Plan (PIFERP).

"I am also here to send a message to the world: these unprecedented floods demand unprecedented assistance", said the Secretary-General. "I pledge my commitment and the support of the United Nations through this difficult period and on every step of the long road ahead".

During his visit, Mr. Ban announced a further contribution of $ 10 million through the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), a funding mechanism managed by the United Nations -in addition to $ 16.3 million already contributed through the CERF.

The Secretary-General visited a relief camp in the district of Multan, located in the country's central-eastern province of Punjab, where he met flood victims and saw the assistance being provided to them. He was accompanied by the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes.

"This is likely to be my last trip in this capacity", said Mr. Holmes, who is due to retire from the United Nations later this month. "This is a disaster which has affected many more people than I have ever seen. What we saw today confirms the scale and urgency of the needs, and the international community must step up accordingly".

So far, donors have either contributed or promised $ 125 million, or 27% of requirements, for the activities envisaged in the PIFERP. "If we are not able to carry out the planned activities, we could see a second wave of death caused by waterborne diseases and food shortages", said Martin Mogwanja, Humanitarian Coordinator for Pakistan. "With the potential spread of diarrhea and other waterborne diseases, and lack of proper food, millions of children and other vulnerable people could die. We are confident that the world will not stand by and watch this happen".

In addition to contributions in the context of the PIFERP, which intends to complement national efforts led by the Government, donors have donated or promised at least $ 180 million directly to the Government, to the Red Crescent Movement, and to other organizations, for activities outside the PIFERP.

Floods started to hit Pakistan at the end of July. Moving gradually from north to south along the Indus River, at least one fifth of the country's surface - at least 160,000 square kilometers - has been affected, equivalent to more than the total surface of Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland combined.

For further information, please call: OCHA Islamabad: Maurizio Giuliano, +92 300 8502397, giuliano@un.org; Stacey Winston, +92 300 8502397, winston@un.org, OCHA New York: Nicholas Reader, +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org, OCHA Geneva: Elisabeth Byrs, +41 22 917 2653, mobile +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org

OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int