Death toll from Pakistan flooding tops 1,500 as risk of diseases rises

[OhioChick]

Source: CNN.com

August 21, 2010 6:07 a.m. EDT

CNN) -- The massive flooding that has covered about one-fifth of Pakistan has claimed the lives of more than 1,500 people, authorities said Saturday.

The death toll from the three-week flooding has reached 1,514, the nation's disaster management agency said.

Officials fear the number could continue to rise because of diseases from unsanitary conditions.

More than 200 health facilities have been damaged or destroyed, according to the World Health Organization, greatly reducing the available health care for millions of survivors in filthy conditions. At least 4 million people are homeless.

Dr. Guido Sabatinelli of the World Health Organization said reports of diarrhea have increased 30 percent.


Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/08/21/pakistan.floods.death.toll/index.html

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:(

[ihavenobias]

1. Thanks for the update. n/t

[Turborama]

2. According to a WHO spokesman on Al Jazeera English

there are 15,000,000 people without access to a doctor and potable water is available to only 8% of the population. I'll have a look and see if WHO have put the stats online. Meanwhile, it's worth checking the AJ English link in my sig for updates....

Thanks for posting.

[Rhiannon12866]

3. K&R. Terrible news, but not surprising...

These poor people have so little, the aftermath could be as bad as the flooding... :(