Situation Report
Pakistan Flooding
August 4, 2010
Five provinces of the country, including Balochistan as well as the Punjab, AJK and the north-west province of Khyber Paktunkwa have been affected. Sindh Province is also facing high alert flood warnings.
An elderly man is carried to safety after water flooded his home in northwestern Pakistan. Photo credit: © Abdul Majeed Goraya/IRIN
More than 1,400 people were killed, and at least 1.5 million people have been displaced. Thousands remain stranded. A concern by local authorities is the spread of waterborne diseases.
The monsoon season affects Pakistan between the months of June and September. Current weather predictions indicate that continued rainfall may worsen flooding in Pakistan as well as prolong and expand the emergency situation throughout the country.
Response
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is working with our ecumenical partners to respond to the needs. One Great Hour of Sharing funds have already been sent to help with the provision of the basics — food packages, shelter materials and non-food essentials — for families in need. Our partner Church World Service Pakistan, which has worked in the area for more than five decades, is providing medical teams and mobile health facilities, which are helping to provide emergency health services.
Based on assessments conducted by its staff and local partners, PDA funds will help provide emergency food assistance to 35,000 people, emergency shelter supplies to meet the needs of 17,500 people, and mobile health access for 17,500 people. The food packages consist of rice, wheat flour, beans, sugar, cooking oil, tea and salt — basics for a family for a month. The shelter kits include a winterized tent and plastic sheeting.
A family tries to escape the floods in northwestern Pakistan. Photo credit: © Abdul Majeed Goraya/IRIN
How you can help
You can stand in the gap for disaster survivors and help the church in this response.
GIVE. The generous sharing of your financial blessings through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering and special designated giving provides resources needed to meet basic humanitarian needs of families affected by this disaster.
Individuals may give through their local Presbyterian congregation, online, or by sending their check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Please include the special designated giving account DR000038 – Pakistan.
Congregations should send donations through their normal mission giving channels.
ACT. Stay informed. Sign up to receive PDA-RIN notices to alert you of additional needs. Email us your name, email address, city, and state and ask to receive RIN emails, or sign up online.
PRAY. Please continue in prayer all those affected by this flooding and for those who are offering assistance.