Millions of flood-hit children at risk of epidemics

Pakistan is bracing itself for countrywide outbreaks of disease after the weeks of flooding damaged hospitals and clinics and turned tens of thousands of medical workers into refugees.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani warned of the new danger as the country's chief meteorologist said it would be two weeks until the Indus river returns to normal levels.

Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry said high tides in the Arabian Sea would slow the river's drainage into it.

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"The flood situation is not yet over," he said, adding that the river would reach peak flood stage late this week.

The floods, which began nearly a month ago with hammering monsoon rains in the north-west, have affected more than 17 million people, the UN estimates. Millions have been left homeless as the floods have swept southwards, submerging millions of acres of farmland.

Most of the 1,500 deaths occurred early in the flooding, but the crisis still is growing.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that about 700,000 Pakistanis have been forced into makeshift settlements just in the southern province of Sindh.

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While there have been no major disease outbreaks because of the floods, aid agencies are increasingly worried, saying contaminated water and a lack of proper sanitation were already causing a spike in medical problems in camps for the displaced.

"Pakistan and its people are experiencing the worst natural calamity of its history," Mr Gilani said at a meeting on health issues in the flood zone. "As human misery continues to mount, we are seriously concerned with spread of epidemic diseases."

More than 3.5 million children are at risk from waterborne diseases, he said, and skin diseases, respiratory infections and malnutrition are spreading in flooded areas.

The problem is compounded by the flood's impact on the country's

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medical system – which has long been badly overstretched and underfunded.

Mr Gilani said the floods had damaged more than 200 health facilities, and that about one-third of the country's 100,000 women health workers have been displaced.

Dr Jahanzeb Orakzai, Pakistan's national health co-ordinator, said: "Health problems usually arise in flood-affected areas after four to six weeks, and we need to be alert and prepared to tackle the situation," he said.

The aid group World Vision said it could be three months until some families are able to return to their homes.

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"People are in urgent need of almost everything: shelter, health clinics, clean water, sanitation and livelihood support," said a spokesman.

The widespread misery caused by the floods has triggered worries about social unrest, food riots or even a challenge to the government's rule.

Yesterday President Asif Ali Zardari defended the government's much-criticised response to the disaster, but acknowledged recovery would take a very long time.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg meanwhile vowed that Britain would "stand by Pakistan in its hour of need" as he praised the public's generosity in raising funds for an "almost unimaginable human catastrophe".

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The Government has pledged more than 60m to help cope with the disaster and is to send 10 prefabricated 30-metre road bridges to help relief efforts.

How you can help

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) , an umbrella organisation representing 13 leading UK aid agencies, is coordinating the appeal for victims of the flood and last night the total donated topped 33m

To make a donation people can call the 24-hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900, visit http://www.dec.org.uk or donate over the counter at any post office or high street bank, or send a cheque.

They can also donate 5 by texting the word GIVE to 70707.

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