"This is an emergency on a truly global scale and, as with any emergency, children are the hardest hit".
Friday 3 August 2007
Earlier this year we predicted that the consequences of climate change could mean the lives of up to 175 million children a year will be endangered by floods, drought, earthquakes and tsunamis over the next decade - a potential increase of 40% on the previous decade.
We are calling for donors to support projects that help communities in flood-prone countries prepare for emergencies and reduce the risks associated with them.
We are currently responding to floods in Pakistan and India and Sierra Leone and are looking to scale up operations in Colombia, Pakistan and Sudan. In China we are carrying out an assessment in Anhui, the worst affected province.
"This is an emergency on a truly global scale and, as with any disaster, children are the hardest hit. Combating the massive scale of these floods is a real challenge for Save the Children and the international community and we must act now to help the most vulnerable," said Gareth Owen, Director of Emergencies, Save the Children.
World under water
Around the world, more than 137 million people are currently experiencing the effects of flooding:
- China 119,000,000
- Sudan 1,000,000
- Indonesia 30,000
- Colombia 55,000
- Sierra Leone 4,250
- UK 452,000
- Pakistan 2,500,000
- India 13,700,000
- Bangladesh 675,000
- Nepal 235,000
- Total 137,651,250
China
Currently, the worst affected country is China where 119 million people have been affected by floods in several provinces this month. Hundreds have died and thousands of families have seen their homes washed away along with their harvest and possessions. Most people have no insurance.
India
In India the annual July monsoons have brought flooding in 10 states, where 13.7 million people have already been affected and continued heavy rains have raised concerns over a worsening situation. Over 1,000 people are confirmed dead and half a million homes have been damaged or destroyed.
Pakistan
Neighbouring Pakistan has also been subject to flooding during the monsoon season with upwards of 2.5 million people affected in 28 districts if Balochistan and Sindh provinces. Over 370,000 people have been left homeless and are residing in 149 relief camps in the area.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh suffers annual floods with at least a fifth of the country submerged each year. This month 675,000 villagers have fled their homes and the situation could worsen with the country's central regions at risk of major flooding in the next two days. Hundreds of houses have been washed away and shelter and flood-affected people is yet to be provided.
Sudan
A million people across ten states of Sudan have been forced to leave their homes by flooding since the start of July. Farming has been badly affected, with many grain stores being destroyed and animals killed.
Sierra Leone
Children living in slums in Sierra Leone have been left open to the risk of disease as filthy water littered with rubbish and human waste flooded their homes earlier this month. Around 850 families have been affected in the Kroo Bay area of Freetown.
Indonesia
In Indonesia torrential rains that began on the 22 July have resulted in floods and landslides in Central Sulawesi affecting 30,000 people and killing 80 people. Further flooding in North Sumatra has led to five deaths. Many homes have been lost and severe damage to the water system is causing health concerns.
Colombia
In Colombia over 55,000 people have been affected by flooding in recent weeks, including at least 30,000 children. The numbers continue to rise. Over 50 schools have been closed, and there is an increase in disease and infection throughout the flood-stricken area.
United Kingdom
The latest figures for flooding in the UK show that more than 450,000 people have been affected by flooding. Several lives have been lost and thousands of people are surviving on emergency water supplies.