Floods in Pakistan will devastate the economy and likely lead to widespread hunger and violence against women, IRC warns

Islamabad, Pakistan, September 12, 2022 — As heavy rains continue to be forecast in Pakistan, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is warning of the resulting economic losses, which are likely to lead to food insecurity and an increase in violence against women. It is vital that humanitarian assistance is fully funded to mitigate the severity of the consequences.

Pakistan is now expected to suffer an economic loss of US$12.5 million as a result of the devastation caused by flooding, with inflation expected to hit a record high of 30% by the end of this fiscal year.

Communities will lose everything in the worst flooding in decades, with more than a third of Pakistan submerged in recent weeks, over 3.6 million hectares of crops destroyed and over 750 million livestock killed. However, economists predict that this is just the tip of the iceberg and the full extent of the damage suffered is likely to be much higher.

Shabnam Baloch, Director of IRC Pakistan said:

“The devastating loss Pakistan will suffer cannot be underestimated. Farming and farming are the only sources of income for communities across the country, and millions of families risk being dependent on humanitarian aid alone as the country’s GDP shrinks.

“There is an acute sense of desperation in all corners of the country. In the short term, families are likely to go hungry as employment dwindles and they cannot afford food. We now know that in times of crisis, women and girls are at increased risk of violence, exploitation and abuse as households face increasing pressure to access an income and to obtain food and essential household goods. The IRC and its partners’ teams on the ground in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces are concerned about an increase in? Reports of sexual harassment and assault.

“The acute loss of farmland and agriculture will likely be felt in the months and years to come. It is vital that humanitarian assistance remains fully funded to give the people of Pakistan the best chance of rebuilding their lives.”

According to the latest needs assessments by IRC and partners, people are in urgent need of food, drinking water, shelter, health care and essentials such as hygiene products: all respondents reported that women and girls do not have access to menstrual hygiene products. As the country’s economy is challenged and people’s jobs and incomes are hit, it’s up to humanitarian organizations like the IRC to ensure the delivery of essential supplies. So far, the IRC has reached nearly 29,000 women and girls with humanitarian assistance, including food and dignity, as well as hygiene kits to meet sanitation and menstrual needs.

The IRC and our partner organizations are on the ground in Pakistan, closely monitoring the situation and assessing humanitarian needs. Our teams have been providing life-saving services to flood-affected communities in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces since early July and have so far reached more than 45,000 people with emergency supplies, dignity and hygiene kits, food baskets, and the establishment of medical camps and safe spaces.