Global General

UN chief 'deeply saddened'by losses in Pakistan floods

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-02 11:02

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday was "deeply saddened" by the loss of lives, livelihoods and infrastructure in Pakistan in the wake of the worst floods in the past eight decades.

A statement, issued here by Ban's spokesman, said, "The secretary-general is deeply saddened by the significant loss of lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure in Pakistan, following the recent heavy monsoon rains that have caused the worst floods in the last 80 years, affecting more than one million of people."

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Continuing floods and monsoon rains have reportedly killed more than 1,400 people and marooned another 30,000 in three of the five provinces in Pakistan as of Sunday.

There are also fears that with more rain forecast for the next 24 hours, some areas face further threats, reports said.

"The secretary-general offers his deepest condolences to the people and government of Pakistan and reiterates the UN's full commitment to supporting the national and provincial authorities in meeting the humanitarian needs of the population affected," the statement said.

In addition to the aid the United Nations is already providing, the secretary-general is authorizing the disbursement of up to US$10 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to help address the pressing needs of the population, said the statement.