subject: Pakistan Flood Crisis Is Still Unfolding [print this page] Since the Flood disaster hit Pakistan some weeks ago the people of that country have been left without food and shelter. It is an international emergency situation. The floods have destroyed the country and the rains have not yet stopped. The Floods continue to spread across the country. As of this moment they are spreading into the Southern provinces of Sindh and Balochistan. In excess of 16.8 million people have suffered from these floods. Of this 16 million, half that number are in desperate need of urgent help. Over 1500 people have already died and multiples of that have been reported as injured. A figure in excess of 1 million houses have been completely destroyed by the flood.
A charity worker on the ground in Pakistan made the following comment "Children are hungry and malnourished. Women cry as they share their stories of horror and destruction. Some of them have lost sleep after losing their homes. I can see nothing but trauma and tragedy everywhere". Zakaria Nutkani, Communications Officer with ActionAid Pakistan shares from Balochistan
120,000 people is the figure ActionAid desire to reach with aid. So far 40,000 people have received our help and aid in eight different districts. We were the first aid agency into the stricken province of Bishigram. We were also the first aid agency to bring in clean drinking water supplies to the area of Madain. We also managed to bring in food and other life saving supplies to the communities worst affected by the floods.
The Pakistan emergency has 5 key areas that need to be addressed quickly. The first and most important is to supply and distribute life saving materials that are needed on the ground throughout the country. Many vulnerable groups such as children and women are particularly badly affected and need urgent help. There is also a critical shortage in water, shelter and sanitation. In excess of 40% of the population living in the flood hit parts of Pakistan have no access to health services. Diseases are spreading fast in these areas and this problem will get worse unless something is done to halt the spread. Lastly, the food is very scarce. Food stocks are dwindling fast and in many instances they have been completely washed away. All that is left is food for up to four or five days.
Pakistan cannot survive much longer without the help of the international community. Thousands more people will die from spreading diseases, malnourishment, and thirst. By giving to ActionAid's Pakistan Flood Appeal you are helping the people suffering most in Pakistan. Please give generously today.
