By Akhtar Soomro
SUKKUR, Pakistan (Reuters) - Disease outbreaks pose new risks to victims of Pakistan's worst floods in decades, aid agencies said on Friday, potentially hindering already complicated relief efforts.
The floods, triggered by torrential monsoon downpours, have engulfed Pakistan's Indus river basin, killing more than 1,600 people, forcing two million from their homes and disrupting the lives of about 14 million people, or 8 percent of the population.
Although waters have receded in some areas, fresh rains could bring new destruction, and a health crisis would tax aid agencies already facing huge logistical challenges.
The United Nations is increasingly concerned about water-borne diseases. There are 36,000 suspected cases of potentially fatal acute watery diarrhoea reported so far At least 96 health facilities have been damaged across the country.
"This is a growing concern. Therefore we are responding with all kinds of preventative as well as curative medication... for outbreaks," said Maurizio Giuliano, the U.N. humanitarian operation spokesman told Reuters.
The floods have roared down from the northwest to the Punjab agricultural heartland to the southern Sindh province, where new floods are possible.
The U.N.'s World Food Progamme said there have been reports of diarrhoea but the problem was not widespread, although it's still cause for concern. "The situation is alarming," spokesman Amjad Jamal said.
The deluge, which began two weeks ago, has caused extensive damage to the country's main crops, agriculture officials said, after the United Nations appealed for $459 million (292 million pounds) in emergency aid and warned of a wave of deaths if help didn't arrive.
Increasing desperation could lead to social unrest and pile more pressure on the government, which has already been heavily criticised for its perceived lacklustre response to the floods, unlike the powerful military which swung into action.
"There is a huge need for food. All over the country crowds are in need of food," said Giuliano.
ECONOMY HAMMERED
Entire villages have been swallowed up. Fertile lands have been destroyed, stripping farmers of their livelihood. Bridges have collapses. People desperate to keep their livestock walk-neck-deep in water, pulling the animals along.
The International Monetary Fund has warned of major economic harm and the Finance Ministry said the country would miss this year's 4.5 percent gross domestic product growth target though it was not clear by how much.
Wheat, cotton and sugar crops have all suffered damage. Agriculture is a mainstay of the economy and the United Nations has estimated rehabilitation will cost billions of dollars.
"On the downside, crops could have suffered damage and food inflation will soar. There may be severe shortages too and riots could well break out," said independent economist Meekal Ahmed. "The power shortage which has crippled industry could get worse. Exports would be hit as well."
Cholera would create another major crisis and determining if there has been an outbreak is difficult.
"Acute watery diarrhoea is on the rise but we have limited access to some of the areas. The access is hampering our efforts to reach and attend to these cases," said Dr. Irshad Sheikh, regional adviser for emergency preparation and humanitarian access for the World Health Organisation.
"You don't have access to labs in those areas so cannot confirm if it is actually cholera."
President Asif Ali Zardari has just started what appears to be damage control by visiting flood victims after drawing heavy criticism for leaving for meetings with European leaders the disaster unfolded and not cutting his trip short.
Zardari said he had worked to secure international aid for the flood victims during his trip. Despite the government's increasing unpopularity after its handling of the floods, analysts rule out a military grab for power.
Giuliano said the floods have affected about one third of Pakistan "at one point or another."
"It doesn't mean it's under water. It's a huge area. It's an area bigger than some European countries," he said.
(Reporting by Sahar Ahmed; Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Miral Fahmy)
