Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- In grief-stricken Pakistan, where relentless flooding has destroyed houses, taken lives and ruined entire villages for more than two weeks, water is both villain and savior.
About one-fifth of the country is submerged under murky water from torrential monsoon rains. Children and adults wade in the filthy waters, pleading for help.
The only recourses from the threat of waterborne illnesses are clean water and medical care -- but both are in short supply.
Polluted floodwater, officials fear, could lead to deadly diseases such as typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis and cholera -- especially among children.
Up to 3.5 million children are at high risk of deadly waterborne diseases, said Maurizio Giuliano of the United Nations' humanitarian affairs office. CNN
