Humanitarian Coalition Launches Pakistan appeal for Aid

10/08/2010

Growing disaster in Pakistan prompts new Humanitarian Coalition appeal

August 10, 2010 – As both the flood waters and death toll continue to rise in Pakistan, the HUMANITARIAN COALITION is launching a new joint appeal to Canadians to support emergency relief efforts. Individually the members of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION – CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada – have been responding on the ground since the emergency began. However the growing magnitude of the disaster – an estimated 1600 dead and over fourteen million affected – is creating a new urgency that demands joint action. The last time the HUMANITARIAN COALITION launched a joint appeal was for the Haiti earthquake.

“Our organizations were each already on the ground and working in Pakistan when the floods hit. However there are times where the need is so great that we must come together under the banner of the Humanitarian Coalition to save more lives. Haiti was one such case. What is happening in Pakistan now is another,” said Kevin McCort, President and CEO of CARE Canada.

CARE mobile health clinics that have been aiding survivors of last year’s conflict in the Swat Valley are now also serving Pakistanis affected by the flood. Over 30 CARE trucks loaded with shelter and non-food relief supplies have already arrived in the region.

Given the destruction and extensive damage to the existing water supply and sanitation infrastructures, Oxfam, in collaboration with local partners, will rehabilitate damaged drinking water systems, provide water through water trucking and providing fuel and pipes for water schemes. Oxfam will also disinfect water supply/source systems, establish water quality monitoring mechanisms and provide households with water treatment options such as water purification tablets, and related supplies including water tanks, jerry cans and buckets. The agency expects to reach 400,000 people.

Save the Children is providing medical care and distributing materials for emergency shelter, hygiene kits, and food parcels to help the 6 million children and their families who have been left homeless and vulnerable to life threatening diseases in the wake of the worst flooding to hit Pakistan in over a century.  

The people affected by the flooding are still reeling from the fighting that broke out last year between government forces and insurgent militias. More than 500,000 Pakistanis were forced to flee their homes and villages because of the violence.

“These people were already very vulnerable, especially the children. Communities just weren’t prepared for another hit like this. They need our support more than ever. This includes being ready and able with the resources to help rebuild food security and livelihoods in the affected areas,” said David Morley, President and CEO of Save the Children Canada.

The HUMANITARIAN COALITION, with the joint efforts of its members, CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada, provides a widespread and effective response to emergencies, with a combined presence in 120 countries. By combining under one banner, the HUMANITARIAN COALITION makes it easy for Canadians to donate in an emergency. With one joint fundraising apparatus, the HUMANITARIAN COALITION reduces fundraising costs, increasing the impact of Canadian donations where it is needed.

Canadians can support the Pakistan relief effort by donating at www.together.ca.

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For more information about the crisis, the HUMANITARIAN COALITION or to arrange for an interview, contact one of the member agencies at the following details:

Kieran Green, CARE Canada
(613) 799-7562


Karen Palmer, Oxfam Canada
(613) 240-3047


Lynn Dolen, Oxfam-Québec
(514) 513-0024


Denise Koulis, Save the Children Canada
(647) 291-1683