The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has painted a gloomy picture of the women affected by the unprecedented floods in Pakistan.
UNFPA, a sexual and reproductive health agency, has stated that at least 650,000 pregnant women in the flood-affected areas were in urgent need of maternal health services, with 73,000 of them due to give birth in the coming month.
The UN agency also cautioned that gender-based violence (GBV) was on the rise due to the over one million homes that were damaged in the floods that caused suffering for millions in Pakistan.
The agency said, “Up to 73,000 women expected to deliver next month will need skilled birth attendants, newborn care, and support.”
Acting UNFPA Pakistan Representative Dr. Bakhtior Kadirov said, “UNFPA is on the ground, working with partners, to ensure that pregnant women and new mothers continue receiving lifesaving services even under the most challenging conditions.”
According to the UN agency, over 1,000 health institutions in Sindh sustained partial or complete damage, whilst 198 facilities in the impacted districts of Balochistan suffered damage.
The UN agency stated that gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response services – including medical and emotional support for GBV survivors – were also given top priority.
