Deadly diseases could hit flood-stricken Pakistan

In grief-stricken Pakistan, where relentless flooding has destroyed houses, taken lives and ruined entire villages for more than two weeks, water is both villain and savior. About one-fifth of the country is submerged under murky water from torrential monsoon rains. Children and adults wade in the filthy waters, pleading for help. The only recourses are clean water and medical care -- but both are in short supply.

Polluted floodwaters, officials fear, could lead to deadly diseases such as typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis and cholera -- especially among children. Up to 3.5 million children are at high risk of deadly waterborne diseases, said Maurizio Giuliano of the United Nations' humanitarian affairs office. The United Nations has called for $166 million for clean water and medical care, but has only received $25 million.

The death toll has now topped 1,400. About 900,000 homes have been damaged, and the monsoon season is only about halfway over. The overall global response has not been nearly enough, according to an International Rescue Committee-chaired consortium called the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum. About $150 million had been received from nations around the world by Monday, the group said in a statement, but much more is needed.

"The international response to the disaster has been too small to even begin to effectively address the needs of survivors," said Tammy Hasselfeldt, the country director of the International Rescue Committee. "The most urgent priority is to ensure that safe water as well as medicines are available, food supplies are restored and transportation networks fixed to accelerate the delivery of desperately needed aid."

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said over the weekend that about 20 million people had been affected by the floods. According to ReliefWeb.int, more than two dozen countries, organizations and individuals have pledged more than $300 million in aid. The United States has committed about $76 million for emergency flood relief assistance. But delivering the goods to flood victims is another nightmare in itself. Travel by vehicles and foot is often impossible, and the country is relying heavily on helicopters and boats to bring aid. Meanwhile, families continue to stomp through mud carrying whatever belongings they can salvage, passing dead livestock, with nowhere to go.