OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Pakistan - Drought
29 May 2001


Drought Situation

1.  The severe heat wave since early May has exacerbated the drought
conditions in Pakistan.  Central and Southern regions of the country are
the worst affected where 80 people have died.  In certain areas, mainly in
Sindh Province in Central Pakistan, the River Indus has nearly dried up
and no significant rains have fallen for almost one year.  According to
official sources, the losses inflicted on the livestock sector are worth
more than PKR 15 billion (USD 247 million). The loss of crops in many
farming communities is also reported.  There has been unsatisfactory
monsoon in Pakistan since 1997.  A serious drought affected the same
provinces from November 1999 to July 2000, which claimed the life of 143
people.  1.09 mio people were affected.  Crops were destroyed and 2.48
million livestock were killed.

2.  Dust storms and light rains in the upper regions of the country during
the last two weeks have resulted in a drop in the high temperatures. The
break in the heat waves has significantly reduced the deaths being
reported on account of heat stroke and dehydration.  However, according to
news agencies, officials say that Pakistan could be facing one of the
worst droughts in recent memory. The local Meteorological Department is
not too optimistic about heavy monsoon rains, which are due to begin in
July.

3.  In Jalozai refugee camp, with some 57,000 Afghan refugees, in
northwestern Pakistan, 32 deaths have been recorded due to the affects of
the intense heat. Doctors have mobilized three rehydration and heatstroke
units. The doctors also fear outbreak of cholera and meningitis.  In view
of the situation in the camp, the United Nations System in Pakistan has
begun to provide temporary emergency assistance to the refugees, pending a
more permanent decision about their relocation. 4.  UNHCR and its NGO
partners have increased efforts at improving the health and sanitary
conditions in the camp.  UNHCR is also providing generators, fans, water
coolers and ice to the health centers in Jalozai. The volume of water
trucked into Jalozai is being increased from 580,000 to over 700,000
litres daily and the number of reservoirs is being increased from 25 to
33.  WFP has begun distribution of wheat flour and cooking oil to about
12,000 families to cover their needs for one month.  UNICEF is providing
health supplies for children and is assisting in the area of water
sanitation.  They have so far provided 200,000 doses of measles vaccines
with syringes, 30,000 sachets of ORS and 5,000 bottles of intravenous
infusion for dehydration and heat stroke and are in the process of
delivering 500 tents to UNHCR for distribution to the refugees.  UNFPA is
providing equipment and care through local NGOs for appropriate
reproductive health care and safe delivery conditions.  WHO has set up a
task force to monitor the health conditions at Jalozai and are also
involved in the overall effort by the UN System in Pakistan to provide
health care to the refugees.


National Response

5.  The Government of Pakistan has started diverting resources for water
sector development and support to the farm sector with a view to
alleviating the affects of drought.  However, budgetary support to these
areas will be clear only after finalization of the national budget by the
end of June.


International Response

6.  The Pakistani Government has requested the Asian Development Bank
(ADB) to carry out a fact-finding mission to assess the drought.  The four
member team arrived on 21 May and is primarily focusing on the economic
impact of the drought. On 28 May, the mission from the ADB met with the UN
Resident Coordinator in Islamabad, together with a team from the World
Bank. The mission is due to end on 31 May.

7.  UNICEF has undertaken an assessment of the non-food situation in the
drought affected areas in cooperation with WHO, UNFPA and UNDP.  FAO and
WFP are presently undertaking an assessment of the food and crop situation
in close cooperation with UNDP.

8.  The three assessments are expected to provide a comprehensive picture
of the affects of drought on the economy, food security and non-food areas
such as health, nutrition and water and sanitation.

9.  OCHA is in close contact with the UN Resident Coordinator in Islamabad
and will revert with further information if it becomes available.

10.  This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet website at
http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Focal Points (OCHA Disaster Response Branch):
  Mr. J. Boutroue (Chief, Africa I and the Middle East)
  Ms. Y. Sawada (Desk Officer) direct Tel. +41 22 917 1438/1768

Desk Officers (OCHA Disaster Response Branch):
  Mr. F. Gentiloni / Mr. R. Mueller / Mr. S. Matsuka / Mr. K. Quiding
  Direct Tel. +41-22-917 3512 / 3131 / 4034 / 1769

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-91726 53
   (NY)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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