By Emeka Aginam
While calling for global appeal for contributions to assist the flood affected victims in Pakistan, the ITU Secretary-General, Dr. Hamadoun Touré has issued a global appeal for contributions to assist the ITU’s emergency telecommunications team work  with the Government of Pakistan towards rehabilitating the telecommunication infrastructure, which has been rendered inoperative in many parts of the country.

The floods ravaging Pakistan , according to ITU , are the worst ever in living memory. Over 15 million people have been displaced and vast tracts of fertile agricultural land have been inundated, with many facing the prospect of a continuing battle with water-borne diseases and malnutrition.  The livelihoods of several millions, ITU said  have been affected with severe long-term repercussions on the economic and social life of the country.

“The whole world is in deep shock as this tragedy continues to unfold,” Dr Touré said, adding that  “ITU stands in utmost solidarity with the people of Pakistan in their hour of need and I join UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in urging our stakeholders to respond generously to meet the urgent demand for relief and rehabilitation efforts.”

ITU regularly contributes emergency telecommunications assistance in the wake of humanitarian disasters, such as in the immediate aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti in January this year as well as in other parts of the world.