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1 1 (October 28, 2022)

handle is hein.crs/govejhq0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Pakistan's 2022 Floods and Implications for U.S. Interests Ove rview The summer 2022 floods in Pakistan created a humanitaran crisis and raised environmental and governance issues with implications for U.S. interests. In mid-June, at the beginning ofmonsoon season, heavy rains flooded areas of Pakistan. Estimates range fromdouble to several times the normal monsoon rainfall. By late August, flooding had worsened to historic and catastrophic levels, reportedly affecting more than 33 million people, injuring nearly 13,000 and killing more than 1,700. More than one-third of the country was reportedly submerged at the height of the rainfall, negatively affecting housing, infrastructure, and livelihoods and creating extensive agricultural los ses. In early October, floodwaters began to recede. Pakistan's government has estimated the cost of flood damage at $30 billion and cut its projected annualeconomic growth for its fiscalyear ending June 2023. Islamabad reportedly will pursue the rescheduling of about $27 billion in external debt largely owed to China, and may seekto suspend internationaldebtrepayments.Wintercould also pose further challenges for millions of flood-affectedpeople. Successive U.S. Administrations have described a stable, democratic, and prosperous Pakistan as critical to U.S. interests. Responding to this disasteris taxing a Pakistani government already struggling with political upheaval, worsening economic and debt crises, unsettled civil- military relations, andrising public discontent. Regional stability and efforts to counter militancy and terrorismare among U.S. concerns; both may face negative impacts from the current situation. For example, following 2010 flooding, some banned Pakistaniterroristgroups reportedly were at the forefront ofruralrelief efforts and may gain popular support through such activities; Pakistan's government denies any banned groups are involved in flood relief in 2022. Congress may consider whether or not U.S. assistance in response to the floods would serve U.S. interests, including economic and security objectives. Flood Damage-Initial Assessments Pakistan's National Dis aster Management Authority (NDMA) is the lead federal agency for dis aster relief coordination, including relief operations supported by Pakistan's army, navy, and airforce. The provinces of Sindh and Balochistan appear most affected (see Figure 1). As of October28, 2022, the NDMA is reportingthe following damage due to flooding since June 14,2022: * 1,735 killed (46% Sindh, 19% Balochistan, 18% Khyber PakhtunkhwaorKP, 13% Punjab) and 12,867 injured; * Affected population: more than 33 million (44% Sindh, 28% Balochistan, 15% Punjab, 13% KP); Livestock deaths: more than 1.1lmillion (43+% Balochistan, 37% Sindh, 18% Punjab); Damaged homes: more than 2.2 million (82% Sindh); Damaged roads: more than 8,100 miles (64% Sindh); damaged bridges: 439 (38% Sindh, 24% KP). Figure I. Homes Damaged in Pakistan's 2022 Flooding (as of September 15, 2022) Source: U.N. Office forthe Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Humanitarian Needs Pakistan's affected populations needrelief supplies, including shelter, food, and water, s anitation, hygiene (WASH) and winterization assistance. Floods have exacerbated food insecurity across the country. The United Nations (U.N.) estimates that7.9 million people havebeen displaced, with nearly 600,000 living in relief sites. The United Nations also reports that, of those displaced, many are staying as close to theirhomes and the affected areas as possible due to concerns that lack of land ownership documentation could prevent future returns. Pakistanhosts roughly 800,000 Afghanrefugees some ofwhomalso have been affected. In many areas, damaged roads andbridges hampered the humanitarian response. Even as floodwaters recede, the riskremains of vector-borne disease (such as malaria) and water-borne dis ease (including diarrhea and cholera) as well as threats fromvenomous wildlife such as poisonous snakes.With vaccine campaigns suspended and access to care limited, maintaining maternal health and protection fromgender-based violence, and addressing outbreaks ofcoronavirus disease (COVID-19) and other medical conditions are a priority. Natonal and internatonal Responses Government of Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif established a National Flood Response and Coordination Center to facilitate a multiagency response in coordination with the NDMA as well as relief sites for the displaced. Updated October 28,2022

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