City Desk
Islamabad, Pakistan – In anticipation of the upcoming monsoon season – which runs from July to September – the World Health Organization (WHO) has partnered with Pakistan to preposition medical supplies to assist over 380,000 people across the country as part of a potential health emergency response following heavy rains, flooding or related disease outbreaks.
Nine trucks carrying supplies have already been dispatched across the country, while part of the stock will remain on WHO premises ready for rapid distribution to provincial authorities or implementing partners as necessary.
The cargo included essential medicines such as antibiotics, analgesics, intravenous infusions, antivirals, antihypertensives, and antiallergic medications, as well as water purification tablets. It also comprised infection prevention and control (IPC) kits and laboratory supplies for the detection of vector-borne diseases – such as malaria and dengue – and waterborne diseases.
The supplies aim to benefit flood- and disaster-affected populations by ensuring rapid access to essential medicines, supporting the diagnosis and management of communicable diseases, strengthening infection prevention and control measures, and reducing the risk of disease outbreaks.
“In a context marked by increasing climate-driven natural hazards, preparedness is essential to save lives and protect those most vulnerable, regardless of social or economic status. WHO emergency teams are working side by side with national and provincial authorities to preposition medicines and medical items that will enable a rapid response. We are proud to partner with Pakistan to better adapt and respond to the increasing frequency and severity of climate-related hazards, and to be ready to save lives,” said WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng.
According to the World Risk Report 2024, Pakistan is among the top 10 most vulnerable countries to climate change and other overlapping crisis factors, including extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods that lead to an increase in water-borne diseases, droughts, and air pollution.
The Global Climate Index 2026 also ranks Pakistan among the 15 countries most affected by extreme weather events during the period 1995–2024.
