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Heavy monsoon rains hit Pakistan in August 2022, causing a massive flood and landslide, culminating in devastating flooding that affected millions of people. The 2022 floods devastated all four provinces of Pakistan and killed over 1700 people, accounting for nearly 15% of the country's population. More than 2. 9 million dwellings were damaged, displacing 20. 6 million people. Floods have displaced hundreds of thousands of people, wrecking homes and livelihoods, damaging agricultural land and schools, and causing food shortages. Thirty-three million people are believed to have been affected, with millions more in serious condition https: //www. unocha. org/pakistan. The 2022 flood caused tremendous devastation, resulting in significant loss of life, community upheaval, and the destruction of homes, infrastructure, and agricultural areas, exacerbating food shortages and economic woes. The floods caused an estimated 30 billion in damage and economic losses. Furthermore, floods have damaged the land through soil erosion, resulting in major losses of agricultural land and crops in the rich Indus plains, exacerbating food shortages and raising the risk of food insecurity in the country. As of 5 June 2023, over 10. 5 million individuals from 43 districts in Pakistan's vulnerable provinces are experiencing acute food insecurity1. Furthermore, water scarcity has worsened in the affected districts. More than 10 million people in flood-affected areas continue to be without clean drinking water, forcing families to drink and use potentially contaminated water. An estimated 20. 6 million people, including 9. 6 million children, need humanitarian aid. Many of the most severely affected districts are among Pakistan's poorest, with children already suffering from hunger and a lack of access to clean water and sanitation2, 3. Waterborne and vector-borne infections continue to pose a significant threat in flood-affected regions. 2022 Flood disasters have increased the risk of infectious diseases such as malaria, cholera, dengue fever, and fungal skin infections in flood-affected areas, destroying water and sanitation systems and increasing mosquito breeding possibilities. The primary cause of a severe watery diarrhea outbreak is contaminated water caused by a failure in filtering and waste disposal systems. Flooding's secondary impacts, such as crowding and gastrointestinal pathogen dissemination, promote the spread of diarrheal diseases. Extensive water damage raises the risk of fungal infection in structures, and common skin and eye problems include wounds, dermatitis, and conjunctivitis. Increased vector populations, contact with diseased animals, and polluted water supplies all help to facilitate transmission. Waterborne and other infectious diseases are especially devastating for children and marginalized groups, and their eradication will take years4. The floods of 2022 in Pakistan have highlighted the link between natural disasters, climate change, and public health. Between June and October 2022, roughly 10% of the country flooded, killing 1700 people, injuring 12 000, and affecting 2 million others. The damage resulted in economic, infrastructural, agricultural, and fertile land losses. It increased waterborne and vector-borne illnesses in the affected areas, putting people's healthcare in danger and putting a strain on the health system https: //www. eastasiaforum. org/2023/02/17/pakistans-floods-highlight-the-climate-health-nexus/5. Considering these critical difficulties, we consequently call for assistance and aid from the world community. Providing food, clean drinking water, medicinal aid, shelter, and financial help to address the immediate needs of flood-ravaged communities is essential. Pakistan has several organizations and agencies involved that can lend a hand to the flooded areas. Among these are NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), PRCS (Pakistan Red Crescent Society), IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society), UN agencies including UNDP, local agencies, and international donors and aid agencies. NDMA coordinates the national disaster response operation, while PRCS treats and provides medical care to flood victims and supplies the affected communities with emergency assistance http: //www. ndma. gov. pk/pages/single-event/proactive-disaster-management-in-pakistan. IFRC works through the PRCS and other National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to aid the people https: //reliefweb. int/report/pakistan/rebuilding-after-2022-pakistan-floods-ifrc-reiterates-continued-need-support. Although these organizations are playing their roles in assisting the flood-affected people in Pakistan by providing their continuous support, the issue is still not fully resolved, necessitating collaborative support from international funding bodies, including USAID, UNHRC, IOM (International Organization for Migration) and The World Bank. UN organizations, for example UNICEF, WFP, and UNDP, cooperate with government and local organizations to offer humanitarian aid https: //pakistan. un. org/en/217455-supporting-millions-impacted-pakistan-flooding. These organizations can help the flood-affected areas of Pakistan by establishing Emergency relief services, aiding in housing reconstruction, livelihood support, community health services, education and school support, psychosocial support, infrastructure resilience, agricultural support, clean water and sanitation, community engagement, and early warning systems can all be used to assist flood-affected areas in recovering https: //www. unicef. org/emergencies/devastating-floods-pakistan-2022, https: //reliefweb. int/report/pakistan/wfp-pakistan-floods-situation-report-november-2023, https: //www. undp. org/pakistan/frp. Priority should be given to providing food, water, shelter, medical care, and rebuilding wrecked homes and infrastructure. People can also regain their livelihoods and economic security through financial help, job training, and vocational initiatives. Furthermore, The WHO can assist by fighting vector-borne and waterborne diseases in the flood-stricken areas of Pakistan https: //reliefweb. int/report/pakistan/public-health-risks-increasing-flood-affected-pakistan-warns-who. Apart from that, NGOs, such as Oxfam and Islamic Relief, are key players and active members of this recovery process. Pakistan can tackle the aftermath of floods on people by joining hands with these organizations and bodies https: //www. oxfam. org. uk/oxfam-in-action/oxfam-blog/pakistan-floods-one-year-on/#: ~: text=The%202022%20floods%20in%20Pakistan, the%20floods%20share%20their%20stories, https: //islamic-relief. org/news/pakistan-floods-1-year-on-resilience-and-rebirth-on-the-long-road-to-recovery/. Community health services, educational and school support, emotional support, infrastructural resilience, and community participation are vital. In the case of future flooding, early warning systems can help inhabitants evacuate promptly. These institutions assist Pakistan in the more effective flood response. What's more, long-term resolutions like rebuilding the infrastructure, giving sustainable livelihood opportunities, and implementing disaster preparedness measures are the main keys to guaranteeing the permanent resilience of these communities against future catastrophes. This calamity will have long-term consequences in the affected areas. As a result, the government and related agencies must prioritize these concerns and develop a comprehensive strategy to rebuild flood-affected communities. It is possible to effectively rehabilitate flood-affected communities and support them in recovering and reconstructing their lives by combining these measures and collaborating with government and non-governmental organizations http: //www. ndma. gov. pk/pages/single-event/proactive-disaster-management-in-pakistan, https: //reliefweb. int/report/pakistan/rebuilding-after-2022-pakistan-floods-ifrc-reiterates-continued-need-support. Ethical approval This type of article doesn't need any ethical approval. Sources of funding The authors have not received any funds. Author contribution A. Z.: protocol development, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing. H. A.: protocol development, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing. M. U.: data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing. M. A. H.: protocol development, data analysis, manuscript writing, supervision. Conflicts of interest disclosure The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest. Research registration unique identifying number (UIN) Name of the registry: Not Applicable. Unique Identifying number or registration ID: Not Applicable. Hyperlink to your specific registration (must be publicly accessible and will be checked): Not Applicable. Guarantor Arbaz Zaman.
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