Pakistan 3-months later: Program Update

04/11/2010

Three months have now passed since the start of the massive flooding that hit Pakistan in August and September 2010.  In that time the members of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION have been working hard with partners and communities in Pakistan to deliver much needed relief, and to support the initial stages of recovery and reconstruction.

“Although the cameras have been packed up and the international media attention has turned elsewhere, the recovery efforts in Pakistan continue to increase as we work hand-in-hand with Pakistani communities on the long road to recovery,” said Kevin McCort, president and CEO of CARE Canada. “Supported by the generous donations of Canadians, efforts have continued to mount to support Pakistani families rebuild their livelihoods.”

“The crisis is far from over,” said Oxfam Canada Executive Director Robert Fox, noting that the UN’s appeal is still woefully underfunded. “Parts of southern Sindh still remain a disaster zone. When the world’s attention was focused on Pakistan’s flood survivors there was a chance of seeing substantial aid being delivered. But as the worst of the flood waters have receded, so has the promise of significant funding.”

Money raised has gone directly to support the relief operations of HUMANITARIAN COALITION members  CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada. Together the members have reached over 2.5 million people with a broad range of relief activities. Some highlights from those operations include:

  • CARE is providing medical aid through health centres and mobile clinics. Assisting pregnant women is a key part of CARE’s health work in Pakistan. CARE has also been providing women with safe birthing kits and ensuring female doctors are a part of its medical teams to provide reproductive health services to women, respecting the requirements of Pakistan’s Muslim culture.
  • CARE is also delivering relief supplies including shelter kits, hygiene kits, and “Lifestraw” kits – special straws that filter water for drinking.
  • Oxfam’s programs are delivering water, food and shelter materials. Hundreds of thousands of people are receiving clean drinking water, have been given access to hygiene facilities, and have received hygiene promotion training and hygiene kits.
  • Oxfam is ramping up cash-for-work programs to provide much needed incomes for families and support the clean-up and infrastructure repairs.  Additionally, families have received food security assistance in the form of a money transfer. 
  • Save the Children has provided assistance to both children and adults by providing emergency medical care and the distribution of shelter materials, hygiene kits, water purification sachets, food and other supplies. 
  • Save the Children has also established 63 child-friendly spaces to meet the immediate psycho-social needs of children in affected areas and are working with communities to address issues which threaten children’s well-being.

Though the initial flooding disaster has passed and flood waters have largely receded, critical challenges remain for the people of Pakistan as they grapple with destroyed livelihoods, devastated infrastructure (schools, homes, roads and more), failed crops and the risk of sickness and disease through the coming winter.  The members of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION will continue to work alongside Pakistanis in the difficult months and years ahead.

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The HUMANITARIAN COALITION, through its member agencies, provides a widespread and effective response to emergencies, with a combined presence in over 120 countries. By coming together under one banner, the HUMANITARIAN COALITION reduces fundraising costs, increasing the impact of Canadian donations where it is needed.

For more information about the crisis, the HUMANITARIAN COALITION or as an alternate means to arrange an interview with agency spokespeople, please contact:
 
Kieran Green, CARE Canada   
613-799-7562


Karen Palmer, Oxfam Canada
(613) 240-3047

Justine Lesage, Oxfam-Québec
514 513-0013


Denise Koulis, Save the Children Canada
(647) 273-7134