UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations and its humanitarian agencies aresupporting Pakistan government-led response efforts to the heavy rain,snowfall and avalanches that struck parts of Balochistan, Azad Kashmir andGilgit Baltistan, causing heavy loss of life and property, a UN spokesmansaid Tuesday.
Spokesman Stephane Dujarric told the regular noon briefing UN Headquartersin New York that many remote villages are cut off, without fuel,electricity and with extremely limited access.
As of Monday, 105 people have reportedly been killed as a result of thedeadly weather conditions in northern and south-western Pakistan and nearly1,300 houses were damaged.
The spokesman said that the UN and its partners are providing food items,winterized tents and warm clothing, blankets and non-food items, inaddition to heavy machinery to clear snow, dewatering pumps and powergenerators.
Authorities also have sought support from the humanitarian agencies forrescue and relief operations, he said.
Rescue efforts are ongoing and major highways and roads are being clearedin the affected provinces; however, access to remote areas and villages isextremely limited, the spokesman added.
Read Top Stories
Similarly, the spokesman said heavy snowfall, flooding and avalanchesimpacted 11 of 34 provinces in Afghanistan last week.
The UN and humanitarian agencies are helping the Afghan government’sresponse and assessment in the impacted areas, he said. Many areas arestill inaccessible, so the scale of the impact is not fully clear yet.
In accessible areas, emergency shelter, warm clothing, food and non-fooditems, as well as hygiene kits are urgently needed.
