Aug 31, 2022
Pakistan faces an acute hunger crisis after millions of hectares of crops were washed away and herds of livestock were killed in devastating flooding.
Farmers in Pakistan’s Sindh - the country’s second largest province - estimated that 80 per cent of onion, tomato and chilli crops, along with 70 per cent of rice crops that were about to be harvested, had been destroyed.
“It was very painful seeing our entire crops destroyed in front of us,” said Muhammad Amjad, 30, who lived in Basti Clairy village, in southern Pakistan.
“Our hard work was lost in moments, but at the time our priority was to save our lives. Only the government can help us now, otherwise it will be difficult for us to survive in the coming months."
Meanwhile, more than 500,000 cattle were killed in Balochistan province, after the region received five times the predicted monsoon rainfall from June to August.
However, it is feared many more cattle are dead, with large areas of the province still inaccessible due to torrential rains.
Even before the flooding, many Pakistanis had taken to the streets to protest against dwindling living standards, with middle-class families reporting that they were skipping meals.
Inflation, caused in part by the war in Ukraine, has caused prices of essential foodstuffs like tomatoes and onions to increase fivefold since January.
Aid agencies have warned the country is likely to face months of food shortages and disruption to October’s wheat planting season after the floods, which have so far claimed 1,100 lives.
James Belgrave, a spokesman from the World Food Programme, said: “Sindh and Balochistan were already highly vulnerable areas of the country, with high levels of acute food insecurity - this means that longer-term livelihood assistance will be essential to help people get back on their feet after this terrible disaster.”
Mr Belgrave added that 6.4 million Pakistanis are in urgent need of assistance, including shelter, medical and food aid.
Aid, including £1.5 million in aid from the United Kingdom, has begun trickling into the country. On Tuesday, Islamabad secured more than $1 billion of loans from the International Monetary Fund.
James Belgrave, a spokesman from the World Food Programme, said: “Sindh and Balochistan were already highly vulnerable areas of the country, with high levels of acute food insecurity - this means that longer-term livelihood assistance will be essential to help people get back on their feet after this terrible disaster.”
www.telegraph.co.uk
Pakistan faces an acute hunger crisis after millions of hectares of crops were washed away and herds of livestock were killed in devastating flooding.
Farmers in Pakistan’s Sindh - the country’s second largest province - estimated that 80 per cent of onion, tomato and chilli crops, along with 70 per cent of rice crops that were about to be harvested, had been destroyed.
“It was very painful seeing our entire crops destroyed in front of us,” said Muhammad Amjad, 30, who lived in Basti Clairy village, in southern Pakistan.
“Our hard work was lost in moments, but at the time our priority was to save our lives. Only the government can help us now, otherwise it will be difficult for us to survive in the coming months."
Meanwhile, more than 500,000 cattle were killed in Balochistan province, after the region received five times the predicted monsoon rainfall from June to August.
However, it is feared many more cattle are dead, with large areas of the province still inaccessible due to torrential rains.
Even before the flooding, many Pakistanis had taken to the streets to protest against dwindling living standards, with middle-class families reporting that they were skipping meals.
Inflation, caused in part by the war in Ukraine, has caused prices of essential foodstuffs like tomatoes and onions to increase fivefold since January.
Aid agencies have warned the country is likely to face months of food shortages and disruption to October’s wheat planting season after the floods, which have so far claimed 1,100 lives.
James Belgrave, a spokesman from the World Food Programme, said: “Sindh and Balochistan were already highly vulnerable areas of the country, with high levels of acute food insecurity - this means that longer-term livelihood assistance will be essential to help people get back on their feet after this terrible disaster.”
Mr Belgrave added that 6.4 million Pakistanis are in urgent need of assistance, including shelter, medical and food aid.
Aid, including £1.5 million in aid from the United Kingdom, has begun trickling into the country. On Tuesday, Islamabad secured more than $1 billion of loans from the International Monetary Fund.
James Belgrave, a spokesman from the World Food Programme, said: “Sindh and Balochistan were already highly vulnerable areas of the country, with high levels of acute food insecurity - this means that longer-term livelihood assistance will be essential to help people get back on their feet after this terrible disaster.”
Flood-hit Pakistan braced for hunger crisis after crops and livestock washed away
Aid agencies warn of acute food shortages unless people are given long-term help
