New York

15 September 2011

Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Floods in Pakistan

The Secretary-General is concerned about recent flooding in Pakistan that has affected more than five million people, with over one million homes damaged or destroyed and four and half million acres of land flooded. He is worried about the situation in the southern part of Sindh where people are in urgent need of food, shelter, safe water and access to health services. The Secretary-General commends the Government of Pakistan's response to these challenges and reiterates the United Nations continued commitment to support the Government in its current efforts to address the needs of the population. Following the generous response of the international community to his appeal to assist Pakistan during the devastating floods of last year, the Secretary-General further calls for continued solidarity of the international community in support of disaster management and risk reduction in Pakistan.