Pakistan Floods: We need your help!!

I am deeply concerned about the situation in Pakistan at the moment. Widespread flooding due to unusually heavy monsoon rains across Pakistan has so far claimed the lives of up to 1,600 people, with over 1,000 injured, according to the Government of Pakistan and the UN.

These same sources estimate that almost 14 million people have been affected by the flooding. This figure is higher than the number of people affected by the 2005 South Asia tsunami (five million), the 2005 South Asia earthquake (three million), or the 2010 Haiti earthquake (three million).

The estimate of homes destroyed or seriously damaged — 290,000 — is almost the same as those destroyed in Haiti. According to OCHA spokesperson Maurizio Giuliano, between 6 and 7 million are in immediate need of food and other items.

ActionAid’s own staff in Pakistan have commented that “Roads and bridges have been washed away or badly damaged in the Swat Valley. The only way to get to the worst affected, far flung areas is by walking over difficult and slippery mountainous path. Continuing rains make it even more challenging, especially for women.  Electricity and communication systems are disrupted and it will take a long time for the effects of such a large scale disaster to settle. With new flood warnings coming in, government and aid agencies will have to scale up their response.”

One of my colleagues in Kot Adu (District Muzaffargarh) has told us that he could see “people sitting on roof tops waiting for rescue and relief. They had not had water or food for more than 24 hours. Women and children were in a miserable state.

“One man was almost swept away by gushing flood water while trying to save his cow. He said if he lost his cattle, he would not be able to feed his family. Ready to harvest cotton crop was completely damaged.

“Villages and settlements have been washed away; the entire geography of the area has been altered. It is hard to believe that buildings, roads and trees could disappear so fast. It is even worst than the recent destruction caused by the military operation. This time there is nothing left. All people need right now is food, water and clothing.

“Everyone is affected in one way or another but those whose houses have been flushed away are the most vulnerable. People are desperately waiting for rescue and relief. Government’s response is not reaching everywhere. Helicopters are flinging out food packages in hard-to-reach areas but it is not enough. Access to most affected areas is difficult as roads and bridges have been damaged.”

ActionAid is currently distributing food packages, hygiene kits, kitchen and household kits to those affected by the floods in areas including the Swat Valley and is now working with 15,000 people and this number is growing daily.  However we are facing real problems in raising sufficient funding to finance our response as are all other NGOs in Australia.

The Australian Government has responded generously but we are having problems getting the message out about the severity of this disaster due to the minimal mainstream media coverage of this catastrophe.  This is leading to a situation where the Australian Public, which is renowned for its generosity in helping those in need, is not receiving the full message.

We desperately need your help to enable ActionAid and our partners to help the people of Pakistan. Please donate by through our website www.actionaid.org.au and we thank you for your generosity and solidarity with the people of Pakistan.