Flood Victims in Pakistan

by Mehtab Qureshi Love Humanity

Pakistan has been hit by the worst flooding in its history, with an estimated 20 million people affected. Monsoons have swept away homes, bridges, and roads, leaving millions displaced and in need of immediate assistance.

?The situation is truly catastrophic,? says Nan Dale, Executive Director of Action Against Hunger?s U.S. headquarters. ?Survivors are in desperate need of clean water and sanitation, so our focus is on these areas. We?ll also be helping families whose lives have been turned upside down recover their livelihoods.?

UNO is appealing for urgent funding for immediate and long-term response in hard-hit areas, including the northwestern region of the country and Sindh province. Following words of Secretary General, UNO are self explanatory:

"I will never forget the destruction and suffering I have witnessed today. In the past I have witnessed many natural disasters around the world, but nothing like this."
-U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Issues

With water and sanitation sources completely destroyed in many areas, people have been forced to drink contaminated floodwater that can cause disease. Our first priority is to contain the spread of deadly water-borne illnesses while we work to rehabilitate water networks and distribution systems.

Goals

Providing Emergency Water & Sanitation

ACF?s field teams will provide access to clean water through water trucking, repair water points, disinfect contaminated sources, and distribute purification tablets. Our emergency response will also include constructing emergency latrines and public sanitation facilities, distributing thousands of hygiene kits, organizing hygiene promotion campaigns, and helping communities clear the streets of rubble and debris.

Bolstering Food Security & Livelihoods

Millions of families have lost everything?homes, livestock, crops, and their only sources of income. SWO and Pakistan Medical Association teams are planning ?cash-for-work? programs to help families regain their livelihoods and will distribute household items to people left with nothing. As part of our recovery efforts, we will provide cash to purchase basic necessities.

Progress To-Date

SWO, Collaborating Partner of Pakistan Medical Association is providing emergency assistance from the very first day to the victims of flood. SWO has organized Camps in Shikarpur, Badin and Thatta Districts of Sindh Province. Our team of Doctors, Volunteers and Nurses are in field. It is a huge task. We badly need funds to continue our efforts. Presently we need following :