UN prepares to provide aid to Pak, Afghan flood victims

United Nations: The UN said here on Monday that it is ready to assist Pakistan and Afghanistan if required as monsoon rains and floods have reportedly killed at least 120 people in these two countries. “The (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ( OCHA) and its humanitarian partners are reviewing the situation and stand ready to assist if required,” reported Xinhua citing UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky. “Further monsoons are forecast later in the month.” [caption id=“attachment_1012843” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Children play in flood water in Pakistan. Representative image. AFP.[/caption] “UN and humanitarian partners are ready to provide food, basic household items, water, sanitation and emergency health support, if required,” Nesirky added. The OCHA “has received reports indicating that heavy monsoon rains have killed more than 80 people across Pakistan, displacing hundreds, ravaging thousands of acres of crops and causing huge damage to houses and infrastructure,” the spokesperson said, while adding the Pakistani authorities have not yet requested international assistance. Meanwhile, flash floods have affected villages in Kabul in the past few days. As of 4 August, at least 40 people were reported to have died, and homes, schools and mosques had been destroyed or badly damaged, said Nesirky. IANS