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RSSEpiscopal Relief & Development Responds to Flooding in Pakistan
Episcopal Relief & Development is contributing through the ACT Alliance’s general appeal for those affected by the recent flooding in Pakistan. Disaster response activities will help vulnerable people in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh.
After weeks of the heaviest monsoon rains in memory, over a third of Pakistan is now under water. This flooding is the worst natural disaster in the country’s history, affecting large swaths of land along the Indus River and its tributaries, from the north to the south of the country. According to recent estimates, nearly 21 million people are affected, and the figures are rising. The death toll has reached over 1,700 and millions are homeless.
“The scale of this disaster is tremendous,” said Nagulan Nesiah, the International Program Officer overseeing Episcopal Relief & Development’s response. “Especially for those who are more at risk in a disaster, like women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities, the need for relief is great.”
The emergency relief provided by ACT’s on-the-ground partners in Pakistan seeks to address the most basic needs of those affected by the flooding. ACT is working through local implementing partners to provide food, shelter kits and health care to over 269,000 people.
In a place where food insecurity is already widespread and the celebration of Ramadan has led to price increases, food aid is especially important at this time. The food kits being distributed include rations of wheat flour, rice, cooking oil, pulses, sugar, tea and salt. In addition, families are being provided with jerry cans, plastic buckets, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, hygiene kits and plastic floor mats and sheeting to protect against the rain.
“Our prayers are with the millions of people who are affected by the flooding,” Nesiah said, “and we pray for the aid workers in the region who are helping to bring relief to those in need.”
