Islamic Relief USA - 2010 Pakistan Floods

From RELIEF WEB:

UK Agencies provide quick humanitarian assistance to flood affected communities in Pakistan

Source: ActionAid; Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD); CARE; Christian Aid; Concern; International Rescue Committee (IRC); Islamic Relief (IR); Oxfam; Save the Children; Tearfund

Date: 06 Aug 2010

The newly established CBHA (Consortium of British Humanitarian Agencies) launched an immediate response to the devastating floods in Pakistan through an emergency response fund (ERF) established with support from DFID in March 2010. The aim of the ERF is to enable UK agencies to deliver fast, appropriate and high quality humanitarian assistance to people affected by disasters. In this instance £750,000 has been allocated to support immediate needs and will provide emergency health services, clean water, sanitation, food and shelter items to approximately 170,000 people to reduce the risk of outbreak of diseases.

"This fund has kick-started a coordinated and speedy response by nine member agencies. We are able to address life critical needs in the worst hit Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province (KPK) whilst further funds are being raised for a larger and more comprehensive response. Quick action like this is vital in saving lives," said Sarah Moss, the interim Director of the CBHA

Agencies will be distributing much-needed all-weather tents, emergency food and hygiene packs, medical services and water and sanitation equipment. Many agencies will continue to provide these services and help to rebuild communities and livelihoods in the months ahead with additional funds provided by public appeals such as the DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee)

Andrew Mitchell, the British Governments Secretary of State for International Development said: "Our fast response funding through the CBHA will help get more disaster experts to flooded districts as quickly as possible to kick-start vital life-saving work. With more rains expected over the next few days, we must get aid to them as quickly as possible"

Members of the CBHA include ActionAid, Action against Hunger, CARE International UK, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, HelpAge International, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Merlin, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.

For more information on CBHA or this response please contact Marieke Hounjet, Coordinator CBHA, M.Hounjet@savethechildren.org

Further funding is needed for UK agencies to provide life saving assistance to communities affected by the devastating flood in Pakistan. To donate, please contact the DEC at www.dec.org.uk or by telephone on 0370 60 60 900.

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From the InterAction site - 2010 Pakistan Flood Response:

Islamic Relief USA has launched an emergency campaign to aid the victims of the floods that have affected more than 1 million people and claimed more than 1,100 lives thus far.In Noshara, which is 100 km north of Pakistan’s capital city Islamabad, Islamic Relief's team is providing food and water for 700 families. Islamic Relief staff is also distributing tents and blankets throughout the flood-devastated region. Working with the United Nations World Food Program, Islamic Relief is also distributing food to 2,000 families in Bakhtiarabad. Islamic Relief workers on the ground are continuing needs assessments, and international staff-members are working hard to help raise funds and awareness.

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From the site - 2010 Pakistan Flood Response:

Current Situation

Hunger and waterborne diseases are spreading rapidly amongst the more than four million people affected by severe flooding in northwest Pakistan.

Shortages of food, water, clothing, shelter, and supplies are making it difficult for the victims. Waterborne diseases like diarrhea and cholera have contaminated nearly all the water wells and are beginning to infect the most vulnerable of the people. Children are especially at risk.

After devastating Pakistan-administered Kashmir and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, floodwaters are now affecting areas of Punjab and Sindh. At least 1,300 villages have been affected in Punjab so far, with the toll steadily climbing.

Two million people are now homeless and more than 1,600 lives have been lost.

Flashfloods and landslides washed away entire villages and uprooted thousands of acres of farmland.

Due to the sheer magnitude of the rains, which caught most victims off-guard, many have lost their livelihoods and have no idea how they will survive after the disaster.

Islamic Relief USA's Adnan Ansari, vice president of programs, is part of the IR team in Pakistan helping with aide efforts and assessing the needs of the people. He reported, "Outside the camps, many people were staying put in their villages, despite their homes being destroyed and the roads being cut off. 'This is all we have left,' one of the victims who stayed home (which had no walls left) told me. 'I can’t risk leaving my belongings unattended.'

"People’s dreams were hit hard by the floods. But their ability to overcome the hardship is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Still I wonder how long they can hold up."

Hardest-hit areas

* Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were hardest hit with the rains initially, but Punjab and Sindh are now on high-alert, as hundreds of thousands flee their homes.
* Peshawar, Nowshera and Charsadda, where at least 700 people have drowned, and about 5,000 people are awaiting help at a campsite.
* The Shangla and Swat districts, where hundreds have been killed and bridges are washed out.
* Areas in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, which have been cut off by landslides.

Islamic Relief’s Emergency Response

* Set up a camp for internally displaced families in Nowshera & started to setup another camp for 2,000 families in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
* Provided vehicles to the local authority in Muzaffarabad to help rescue stranded victims
* Distributed tents in Muzaffarabad, Nowshera and Neelum Valley
* Distributed emergency food parcels to 2,000 families in Muzaffarabad
* Built latrines in a camp in Nowshera serving over 2,000 families
* Distributed hygiene kits to over 4,000 families in Mardan and Nowshera
* Purchased large quantities of tents, food and non-food supplies

People are continuing to pour into camps and register for food distributions, but supplies and capacity are dwindling rapidly. Donate today to help Islamic Relief aid as many people as possible.

Facts about Pakistan

* More than 73 percent of the population lives on less than $2 a day.
* 24 percent of the population is undernourished.
* 38 percent of children are underweight.