The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has drawn attention to the number of pregnant women being impacted by the flood crisis, estimating that over 650,000 pregnant women are in urgent need of maternal health services, out of which at least 73,000 are expected to deliver next month.
The organization also highlighted that nearly as many women are in increasing danger of falling victim to gender-based violence (GBV) as almost one million homes have been destroyed leaving so many people homeless.
The devastating floods have reached a death toll of 1,162 as of today, and homes in the tens of thousands have been destroyed. More than 3,000 kilometres of roads have been swept away, and many parts of the country have been without electricity or cellular services for weeks.
“Up to 73,000 women expected to deliver next month will need skilled birth attendants, newborn care, and support,” said UNFPA, adding that both the mother and child are most vulnerable during childbirth and will need urgent care, as childbirth is something that cannot wait for natural disasters and calamities to pass.
Acting UNFPA Pakistan Representative Dr Bakhtior Kadirov said that the UNFPA is working on the ground with partners to ensure that pregnant women and new mothers continue receiving life-saving services even under the most challenging conditions.
According to the agency, over 1,000 health facilities were either partially or fully damaged in Sindh, whereas 198 health facilities were damaged in the flood-hit areas of Balochistan. Additionally, the damage to road tracks and bridges has also made access to healthcare even more difficult.
The organization also highlighted that nearly as many women are in increasing danger of falling victim to gender-based violence (GBV) as almost one million homes have been destroyed leaving so many people homeless.
The devastating floods have reached a death toll of 1,162 as of today, and homes in the tens of thousands have been destroyed. More than 3,000 kilometres of roads have been swept away, and many parts of the country have been without electricity or cellular services for weeks.
“Up to 73,000 women expected to deliver next month will need skilled birth attendants, newborn care, and support,” said UNFPA, adding that both the mother and child are most vulnerable during childbirth and will need urgent care, as childbirth is something that cannot wait for natural disasters and calamities to pass.
Acting UNFPA Pakistan Representative Dr Bakhtior Kadirov said that the UNFPA is working on the ground with partners to ensure that pregnant women and new mothers continue receiving life-saving services even under the most challenging conditions.
According to the agency, over 1,000 health facilities were either partially or fully damaged in Sindh, whereas 198 health facilities were damaged in the flood-hit areas of Balochistan. Additionally, the damage to road tracks and bridges has also made access to healthcare even more difficult.