As if unprecedented floods weren’t enough the outbreak of diseases resulting from the floods is like a salt to the wound situation for Pakistan. During the last 24 hours, 12,000 cases of asthma, respiratory and chest-related infections were reported in Sindh but the plight doesn’t end here as to add to that number approximately 20,000 people were found affected by skin diseases as well as 18,000 cases were reported to be that of diarrhoea.

According to the health department data, in the flood hit areas more than 2.5 million people have been affected by infectious diseases.

In a recent statement the World Health Organization expressed its deep concern regarding the matter and termed this situation as “second disaster in Pakistan: a wave of diseases and deaths”. The WHO chief advised to act quickly to protect health and deliver essential health services. The UNICEF also found 3.4 million children in need of immediate, lifesaving support.

Record monsoons and heavy floods in Pakistan have not just given rise to hunger and various illnesses which have affected 33 million people but are also estimated to have caused USD 30 billion of damage.