Secretary-General offers UN assistance to survivors of South Asia storms

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today pledged to support national efforts to provide emergency assistance to survivors of recent storms across South Asia, which have resulted in several hundred deaths in India and Pakistan.

Mr. Ban was “deeply concerned by the loss of life and serious damage caused by severe storms and flooding in parts of India and Pakistan,” his spokesperson said in a statement.

The statement also commended the “prompt and effective” response to the disaster in both countries.

According to UN relief agencies on the ground, the recent storms, combined with tropical cyclone Yemyn – which made landfall this morning in Pakistan’s Balochistan province – have caused significant damage in Pakistan and India, causing hundreds of deaths and bringing commercial activity in Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, to a halt.

Yemyn has caused damage in coastal and adjoining regions of Balochistan, severing the coastal highway and threatening the Mirani Dam, according to the UN Resident Coordinator for Pakistan. In addition, Pakistani authorities have launched rescue operations for four foreign vessels that remain missing off its coast.

Meanwhile, UN officials in India report that heavy rains and flooding have occurred across parts of the country since last week, affecting the states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Assam and Bihar. In addition to the loss of life, the rains and the resulting flooding and landslides have damaged over 5,000 homes.

Camps have been set up in both countries for the affected populations.

The UN says it remains in close contact with both Governments and is ready to provide relief if requested.