ISLAMABAD, Nov 19 (APP):United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Islamic Relief has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the flood-affected communities in Sindh.

The partnership will create income opportunities for households affected by the floods and support the construction of community infrastructures, said a press release issued here.

The devastating floods in Pakistan have affected 33 million people. Recently launched Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) highlighted that millions have become homeless, livelihoods are heavily impacted, and critical infrastructure has been wiped out. 

Estimates of total damages and losses are around $30 billion.
 
Floods have particularly impacted the poorest and most vulnerable districts. The Poverty rates for many flood-affected districts in Sindh and Balochistan, two of the most impacted provinces, were even higher. Before the floods, households in calamity-hit communities showed an average poverty rate of more than 31 percent, well above the national average of 21.9 percent.
 
In response, UNDP and Islamic Relief will help communities with cash for work opportunities. An initial target of 10,000 cash-for-work hours will be set, with an increased focus on the inclusion of women. Simultaneously, rehabilitation schemes will also be identified in the selected districts that can be started immediately.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Knut Ostby highlights, “Aligned with UNDP’s Flood Recovery Vision, through this partnership, we aim to revive livelihoods and rehabilitate critical infrastructure in impacted districts of Sindh.”

“The scale of devastation has been unprecedented for which no one was prepared. Islamic Relief strongly believes that collaborations and partnerships are vital in this hour of need to reach the most in need before another crisis emerges. Our strong community connections are helping us to reach the most in need,” said Asif Sherazi, Country Director of Islamic Relief Pakistan.

This collaboration is an extension of UNDP and Islamic Relief’s global and regional partnership in reaching and building resilience in conflict-affected areas.

ISLAMABAD, Nov 19 (APP):United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday said that improving sanitation was a highly cost-effective way to transform people’s lives adding the benefits of better sanitation go far beyond public health.

In his message on ‘The World Toilet Day’, he said 3.6 billion people still suffer the indignity of living without a safe toilet.

Every day, over 700 children die from diseases caused by poor sanitation, hygiene, and unsafe water.

On this World Toilet Day, he said we focus on the impact of inadequate sanitation systems on groundwater – how they spread human waste into rivers, lakes, and soil, polluting the water resources under our feet.

This issue has been neglected for too long because it happens out of sight – underground, and amidst the poorest communities.

Today, let us shine a light on the vital role of safe toilets in all aspects of sustainable development – both visible and invisible.

And let us act with urgency and ambition to deliver on the basic human right to water and sanitation for all people, everywhere, he added.