Since 1st August, Handicap International has helped 30,000 victims of the devastating floods in Pakistan. Our organisation released £83,000 in general funds to ensure a swift response to the natural disaster. So far Handicap International has only received £83,000 from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This amount is nowhere near enough to extend our relief effort in aid of the Pakistani population.
The worst natural disaster in Pakistan’s history has affected 20 million people, equivalent to nearly a third of the UK population, destroyed 300,000 homes, killed at least 1,500 people and raised fears of an epidemic. The population is in desperate need of aid.
Since 1st August, Handicap International has supplied aid to 30,000 people and is continuing its work on the ground. Three expatriate staff will shortly arrive to support our 100-strong emergency response team, which is working in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and particularly in the cities of Kohat and Mingora and in rural areas.
Our Emergency Response team is distributing drinking water in the northwest of the country, a key factor in preventing the spread of epidemics, in particular cholera. Our teams are also repairing water supply systems (pumps and water reservoirs) destroyed by the floods. The distribution of emergency packs enables families to process and store water, to wash and to cook. A clear-up project has also begun in the districts of Hangu, Swat and Kohat. Handicap International is involving local people in clearing away the waste and debris swept along by the floods, and removing stagnant water from towns, enabling the population to return to the area and limiting the spread of disease. Our organisation is also planning to open an additional base in the district of Tank next week.
“Handicap International, like many other non-governmental organisations, has not received enough funding for its relief effort in Pakistan, and, without sufficient support, is not in a position to take all necessary action,” says Stéphane Lobjois, Handicap International’s Head of Mission in Pakistan.
Please support Handicap International’s Pakistan Appeal
Donate online at www.justgiving.com/Pakistan-Floods-Emergency-Appeal or call us on 0870 774 3737
