AmeriCares - 2010 Pakistan Floods / Armed Conflict

From RELIEF WEB:

AmeriCares Airlifting Medical Aid to Help Flood Survivors in Pakistan
Source: AmeriCares Foundation
Date: 09 Aug 2010

Pakistan's worst flooding in 80 years has claimed at least 1,600 lives and has left more than 4 million people homeless. AmeriCares has mounted relief efforts, helping deliver lifesaving medicines and medical supplies for survivors in the region.

The medical aid is tailored for conditions common in the aftermath of a flood and will help treat people suffering from severe infections, malaria and dehydration. AmeriCares will airlift additional relief supplies to Pakistan in the coming days, including critical medicines and surgical items.

"The health care needs of millions of families affected by the devastating floods are overwhelming," said Christoph Gorder, AmeriCares senior vice president of global programs. "The floods wiped out crops, destroying the major food supply and livelihood in the region, leaving children and fragile elderly men and women vulnerable to malnutrition."

Local communities are still recovering from last year's armed conflict between the Pakistani Army and Taliban militants. Over two million innocent civilians were forced to flee during the conflict. Many families returned to remnants of rubble where their homes once stood, leaving them with little protection against the fierce floods.

"Washed out roads and bridges, hastily rebuilt during the aftermath of the Taliban conflict, have left large areas cut off from emergency relief," reports Gorder. "We are working with our local partners to ensure the delivery of medical aid in order to prevent a public health catastrophe."

AmeriCares emergency relief experts are working with local partners to deliver assistance to flood-affected communities. Since 1982, AmeriCares has delivered nearly $47 million in assistance to Pakistan including relief supplies ranging from medicines, medical supplies, equipment, health care facilities and nutritional support

-----------------------------------

From the InterAction Site: AmeriCares's Response to the Floods in Pakistan

AmeriCares is mounting disaster relief efforts in response to the flooding in Pakistan. We are delivering and distributing lifesaving medical assistance and emergency aid to flood-impacted communities. AmeriCares has been providing critical medicines, medical supplies, nutritional support and humanitarian aid to Pakistan since 1982. In 2009, we delivered urgent medical aid to the Swat Valley to help populations displaced by intense fighting and in 2005; we built and equipped a transitional field hospital with medicines, medical equipment and supplies in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake in northern Pakistan. For more information, visit the site.

-----------------------------------

From the site - 2010 Pakistan Flood Response:

AmeriCares Sending Relief to Pakistan to Help Flood Survivors
August 2, 2010

Severe floods have killed over 1,000 people in Pakistan's vulnerable Swat Valley. Nearly one million men, women and children have been affected; many families are now homeless, stranded without water and medical care. In response, AmeriCares is mounting disaster relief efforts; sending lifesaving, emergency medical aid to the region.

A powerful monsoon brought torrential flooding to the devastated northwest region of Pakistan. Over a foot of rain fell in 36 hours, causing flash floods and overflowing river banks. Officials worry forecasted rains in the coming days could put thousands more families at risk and will hamper relief efforts.

Local communities in the Swat Valley are still recovering from last year's armed conflict between the Pakistani Army and Taliban militants.

"Washed out bridges, hastily rebuilt during the aftermath of the Taliban conflict, have left large areas cut off from emergency relief," reports Christoph Gorder, AmeriCares senior vice president of global programs. "Emergency medical aid is needed now in order to help avert a public health catastrophe."

Over two million innocent civilians were forced to flee during last year's conflict. Many families returned to remnants of rubble where their homes once stood, leaving them with little protection against the fierce floods.

AmeriCares emergency relief experts are working with local partners to deliver assistance to flood-affected communities. Since 1990, AmeriCares has delivered 84 shipments valued at more than $57 million in assistance to Pakistan including relief medicines, medical supplies, equipment, transitional field hospitals and nutritional support.