KARACHI: At least nine more people have died from water-borne diseases in flood-hit areas of Pakistan, officials said on Tuesday, as actress Angelina Jolie made a surprise visit to the South Asian nation to meet people affected by the crisis.
An intense and long monsoon dumped around three times as much rain on Pakistan than on average in recent weeks, causing major flooding that killed 1,559 people, including 551 children and 318 women, according to the disaster management agency.
Officials are warning they now risk losing control of the spread of infections in a dire situation that UNICEF described as "beyond bleak".
Hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the floods are living in the open and as flood waters spread over hundreds of kilometres (miles) start to recede - which officials say may take two to six months - stagnant waters have led to diseases like malaria, dengue fever, skin and eye infections and acute diarrhoea. Read full story
Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, arrived in Pakistan and visited communities affected by flooding in Dadu district, one of the worst-hit areas in southern Pakistan.
She met with several women who were now living in tents, according to international aid organization IRC, which is facilitating the visit. They described their struggles and told her they needed food, water and medical attention.
Jolie, who has dedicated herself to international humanitarian causes for more than a decade, also visited Pakistan after deadly flooding in 2010.
"SECOND DISASTER"
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said the surge in diseases has the potential for a "second disaster".
"There is already the diseases outbreak," said Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan's planning minister, who is also the head of a national flood response centre jointly run by the government and the military.
"We fear it may get out of control," he told a news conference in Islamabad.
In Sindh, the region worst hit by the floods, the provincial government said nine people had died of gastroenteritis, acute diarrhoea and suspected malaria on Monday, bringing the total number of deaths from diseases to 318 since July 1.
Over 2.7 million people have been treated for water-borne diseases at makeshift or mobile hospitals set up in flood-hit regions since July 1, it said, with 72,000 people treated at these facilities on Monday alone.
Three other provinces have also reported thousands of disease cases.
The influx has overwhelmed Pakistan's already weak health system. Sindh provincial government has said that over 1,200 medical facilities were still marooned in flood water.
Malaria and diarrhoea are spreading fast, said Moinuddin Siddique, director at the Abdullah Shah Institute of Health Sciences at Sehwan city, which is surrounded by the flood waters. "We're overwhelmed," he told Reuters.
At the news conference, planning minister Iqbal appealed to the affluent members of society to come forward to help the flood relief efforts, and asked medical volunteers to join hands with the government.
He appealed for two million nutrition packs for mothers who are expecting and new born babies, saying the government was setting up more mobile hospitals and clinics in affected areas.
Record monsoon rains and glacial melt in northern Pakistan triggered the flooding that has impacted nearly 33 million people in the South Asian nation of 220 million, sweeping away homes, crops, bridges, roads and livestock in damages estimated at $30 billion. Scientists say the disaster was exacerbated by climate change.
The government says GDP growth will likely drop to 3% from a previous estimate of 5% for the 2022-23 financial year.
In what UNICEF described as a situation "beyond bleak," it said an estimated 16 million children have been impacted by the floods, and at least 3.4 million girls and boys remain in need of immediate, lifesaving support.
Gerida Birukila, the UNICEF Pakistan Chief Field Officer in southwestern Balochistan province, described the situation "utterly heartbreaking."
The children are surrounded by pools of stagnant water poisoned with fertilizers and faeces and swarming with diseases and viruses, sometimes meters (feet) away from where they sleep, she told a news briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, according to a statement.
"Many families have no alternative but to drink the disease-ridden water," she said, adding, "Everywhere we go, we see desperation and despair growing."
Reuters
Wed Sep 21 2022
![Pakistan flood-borne diseases could get 'out of control' as deaths rise Pakistan flood-borne diseases could get 'out of control' as deaths rise](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-09/81663724754_PAKISTAN.jpg)
Angelina Jolie listens to displaced women following rains and floods during the monsoon season, in village Ibrahim Chandio, Dadu, Pakistan September 20, 2022. - IRC/Saima Javaid/Handout via REUTERS
![Penampilan pertama Trump di konvensyen GOP selepas terselamat cubaan bunuh Penampilan pertama Trump di konvensyen GOP selepas terselamat cubaan bunuh](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721113188_DonaldTrump.jpg)
Penampilan pertama Trump di konvensyen GOP selepas terselamat cubaan bunuh
Donald Trump menghadiri Konvensyen Kebangsaan Republikan pada malam Isnin, penampilan umum pertamanya sejak terselamat daripada cubaan bunuh.
![Malaysia pantau perkembangan insiden tembakan di Masjid Muscat Malaysia pantau perkembangan insiden tembakan di Masjid Muscat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71715148599_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia pantau perkembangan insiden tembakan di Masjid Muscat
Wisma Putra melalui Kedutaan Besar Malaysia di Muscat, Oman sedang giat menyelaras usaha dengan pihak berkuasa tempatan untuk mendapatkan maklumat lanjut.
![Ini antara pencapaian Pan-gon bersama Harimau Malaya Ini antara pencapaian Pan-gon bersama Harimau Malaya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721112073_PangonHarimauMal.jpg)
Ini antara pencapaian Pan-gon bersama Harimau Malaya
Kim Pan-gon memiliki rekod yang cukup baik bersama Malaysia, menjadi pengendali Harimau Malaya paling banyak mendapatkan keputusan yang positif sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini.
![Kementerian Komunikasi umum Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa Kementerian Komunikasi umum Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721112865_FahmiFadzil.jpg)
Kementerian Komunikasi umum Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa
Kementerian Komunikasi hari ini mengumumkan Pakej Rahmah Prabayar Siswa pada harga tidak melebihi RM30.
![Messi harap cepat pulih daripada kecederaan Messi harap cepat pulih daripada kecederaan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719647184_LionelMessi.jpg)
Messi harap cepat pulih daripada kecederaan
Kapten Argentina, Lionel Messi berharap agar beliau cepat pulih daripada kecederaan buku lali yang dialaminya perlawanan akhir Copa America.
![MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721105894_AhmadZahidHamidi.jpg)
MARA diminta terus teroka potensi industri halal global - Ahmad Zahid
MARA diminta untuk terus meneroka potensi antarabangsa dalam industri halal yang mempunyai prospek besar menerusi program Gate to Global (GTG).
Saya akan rindu bau durian - Kim Pan-gon
Menurut Kim Pan-gon, beliau akan tetap bangga dengan pasukan bola sepak Malaysia walaupun dimana beliau berada.
Katanya beliau akan merindui bau durian dan langit Malaysia. #AWANInews
Katanya beliau akan merindui bau durian dan langit Malaysia. #AWANInews
Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan berikutan komitmen peribadi
Pengurus pasukan kebangsaan Malaysia, Kim Pan-gon menyatakan perletakan jawatan tersebut kerana komitmen peribadi.
#AWANInews
#AWANInews
![Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721102997_SimposiumDronKeban.jpg)
Penggunaan dron tingkat keberkesanan pemantauan pencemaran - Nik Nazmi
Penggunaan dron membolehkan pemantauan pencemaran alam sekitar dan hidupan liar serta pencerobohan hutan dilaksanakan dengan lebih berkesan.
![Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan ketua jurulatih, akan terus rindui sokongan rakyat Malaysia Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan ketua jurulatih, akan terus rindui sokongan rakyat Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/71718142997_KimPanGon.jpg)
Kim Pan-gon letak jawatan ketua jurulatih, akan terus rindui sokongan rakyat Malaysia
Beliau telah mengadakan pertemuan dengan Presiden FAM Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, sebelum kedua-dua mereka mencapai persetujuan berhubung keputusannya itu.
![Brad Pitt didakwa sudah lama dera Angelina Jolie Brad Pitt didakwa sudah lama dera Angelina Jolie](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/71712380633_tbdera.jpg)
Brad Pitt didakwa sudah lama dera Angelina Jolie
Jolie menerusi peguamnya mendakwa Pitt sudah lama melakukan penderaan terhadap aktres tersebut sebelum perbuatan itu terdedah.
![Angelina Jolie sifatkan Hollywood dunia tak sihat, pernah diserang Bell’s Palsy Angelina Jolie sifatkan Hollywood dunia tak sihat, pernah diserang Bell’s Palsy](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/81701998240_TBAngelinajpg.jpg)
Angelina Jolie sifatkan Hollywood dunia tak sihat, pernah diserang Bell’s Palsy
Jolie juga mendedahkan toksiknya Hollywood telah memberi impak besar terhadap kesihatannya terutama saat fasa penceraian dengan Brad Pitt.
![Bapa kecewa Angelina Jolie sokong Palestin, dakwa gagal fahami 'kebenaran' Bapa kecewa Angelina Jolie sokong Palestin, dakwa gagal fahami 'kebenaran'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-11/41699696267_TBANGELINA.jpg)
Bapa kecewa Angelina Jolie sokong Palestin, dakwa gagal fahami 'kebenaran'
Bapa kepada pelakon Angelina Jolie, Jon Voight kecewa apabila anak perempuannya menyatakan sokongan terhadap Palestin dan mengecam tindakan rejim zionis.
![Insiden pengeboman di Gaza, Angelina Jolie bersuara kutuk Israel Insiden pengeboman di Gaza, Angelina Jolie bersuara kutuk Israel](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-09/41663689796_AngelinaJolie.jpg)
Insiden pengeboman di Gaza, Angelina Jolie bersuara kutuk Israel
Angelina Jolie mengecam tindakan Israel yang menyerang kem pelarian Jabalia di Gaza dua hari lalu, hingga mengorbankan ratusan penduduk Palestin.
![Status ibu selamatkan hidup Angelina Jolie dari musnah Status ibu selamatkan hidup Angelina Jolie dari musnah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/61696036163_TBAngelinaJolie.jpg)
Status ibu selamatkan hidup Angelina Jolie dari musnah
Mempunyai anak telah banyak menyelamatkan Jolie dan hidup dengan pandangan yang berbeza terhadap dunia.
![Gempa bumi Turkiye, Syria: Angelina Jolie rayu derma untuk bantu mangsa Gempa bumi Turkiye, Syria: Angelina Jolie rayu derma untuk bantu mangsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-02/51676170525_TBTURKEYSYRIA.jpg)
Gempa bumi Turkiye, Syria: Angelina Jolie rayu derma untuk bantu mangsa
Pelakon Hollywood yang juga aktivis hak asasi manusia Angelina Jolie pada Sabtu merayu agar derma disalurkan kepada Turkiye dan Syria.
![Angelina Jolie tamatkan khidmat dengan UNHCR Angelina Jolie tamatkan khidmat dengan UNHCR](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-12/41671227367_AngelinaJolie.jpg)
Angelina Jolie tamatkan khidmat dengan UNHCR
Jolie mula bekerjasama dengan UNHCR pada 2001 dan kemudian dilantik sebagai wakil khas pada 2012.
![Brad Pitt didakwa dera Angelina Jolie, anak dalam pesawat peribadi Brad Pitt didakwa dera Angelina Jolie, anak dalam pesawat peribadi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2018-08/81533723189_BradJolie.jpg)
Brad Pitt didakwa dera Angelina Jolie, anak dalam pesawat peribadi
Jolie dakwa bekas suaminya memegang kepalanya dan menyerang dua anak mereka dalam perjalanan dari Perancis ke Los Angeles.
![Angelina Jolie lawat Pakistan untuk tarik perhatian, bantu mangsa banjir Angelina Jolie lawat Pakistan untuk tarik perhatian, bantu mangsa banjir](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-09/41663689796_AngelinaJolie.jpg)
Angelina Jolie lawat Pakistan untuk tarik perhatian, bantu mangsa banjir
Pelakon Hollywood Angelina Jolie, melawat Pakistan untuk menarik perhatian antarabangsa mengenai banjir yang melanda negara itu ketika banyak negara terus menghantar bantuan.
![Krisis Rusia-Ukraine: Angelina Jolie buat lawatan mengejut ke Ukraine Krisis Rusia-Ukraine: Angelina Jolie buat lawatan mengejut ke Ukraine](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-05/81651369089_UNHCRSpecialEnvoy.jpg)
Krisis Rusia-Ukraine: Angelina Jolie buat lawatan mengejut ke Ukraine
Aktress itu juga bertemu dengan kanak-kanak yang terperangkap dalam serangan peluru berpandu Rusia di stesen kereta api.