ActionAid First to Reach Pakistani Flood Victims in Kot Addu
Friday, August 13, 2010
Heavy rains are hampering the rescue operation in Pakistan where ActionAid partners have been evacuating people caught up in the worst floods in 80 years.
The death toll has now reached 1,500 with over 14 million people affected. The rains had stopped in the past few days allowing rescue teams and emergency response teams better access but the situation on the ground remains extremely challenging.
ActionAid is so far helping more than 3,300 families - over 23,000 people - in the worst hit areas. In the Punjab areas of Kot Adu, Layyah, Khoshab and Bhakar ActionAid is working with partners to distribute food to 1,800 families including rice, sugar, pulses, oil and tea.
Twelve medical camps have been set up in these areas providing life-saving medicines and support from local doctors. In the districts of Azad Jammu Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa – which includes the hard hit areas of Swat and Swabi - the agency is also providing sheets, mattresses and mosquito nets to displaced survivors who have been left most vulnerable by the floods.
ActionAid was the first to reach those hit by the disaster in Kot Addu with rescue and relief support. So far, five relief camps have been set up in government buildings and 3,000 people are being provided with food, medical care and washing facilities. The agency is looking after the specific needs of women and girls and providing female doctors. In this camp there are 35 expectant mothers, three of whom have just given birth.
Zia Nawab, an ActionAid partner working in Swat, said, “People are desperately waiting for rescue and relief. The government’s response cannot reach everyone. 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. With more heavy rain, rivers could burst their banks - the situation is now at tipping point.”
Over the coming weeks ActionAid will be scaling up its response to reach many thousands more of those in need. ActionAid has launched an emergency appeal to help survivors of the Pakistan floods. Donations may be made at www.actionaidusa.org/what/emergencies/pakistan_floods/
ActionAid is an international agency working in 50 countries alongside 25 million poor people to end poverty and the injustices that cause it. ActionAid has been working in Pakistan since 1992 in partnership with local civil society organizations, community groups and marginalized people to fight against poverty and for basic human rights.
Contact: Randi Hogan
Tel: 202-370-9924
Mobile: 202-276-4974 randi.hogan@actionaid.org
www.actionaidusa.org