ISLAMABAD: Due to the unprecedented floods in Pakistan, more than half a million pregnant women are unable to access any proper health facility. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), around 650,000 pregnant women require maternal health services. The agency added that 73,000 of them have almost reached their due date.
UNFPA added that several women and girls were at risk of facing gender-based violence. The stats by the UN agency showed that more than 1,000 health centres were damaged in Sindh while 198 were affected in Balochistan. Dr Bakhtori Kadirov, acting Representative of UNFPA Pakistan, said that despite challenging conditions they would provide human resources and equipment to support health facilities.
UNFPA Pakistan has delivered 6,412 delivery kits, 7,411 newborn baby kits, and 8,311 dignity kits across Pakistan.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Antonio Guterres, has announced a solidarity visit to Pakistan. He is expected to arrive on Friday in Islamabad on September 9 and visit flood-hit areas with Pakistani officials. Antonio will also review the humanitarian assistance given by different global organisations.
On Tuesday, the UN had issued a flash appeal for $160 million that could help over 33 million flood-affected people in Pakistan.