Geneva, 5 August 2005 - Floods are one of the most common natural disasters in Pakistan. Recently floods have devastated parts of Sindh Province, upper Punjab Province, North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and northern areas of Pakistan. Major rivers in NWFP, Punjab and the northern Pakistan have shown extremely high levels since mid-May 2005 due to heavy snowfall during winter and unprecedented high temperatures prevailing in the region over the last months. All the rivers of Pakistan flow into the Indus River in Sindh Province which has caused flooding in parts of Sindh Province. On 2 August the meteorological office forecasted more thunder storms and widespread rains in Badin, Tharparkar, Thatta, Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas Districts of Sindh Province. This will increase the danger for further flooding in the country, especially Sindh Province.
According to the Emergency Relief Cell of the Sindh Government the recent floods have affected a total of 4,791 persons from 74 villages of 4 districts of the province. The Revenue Department informed that already some 90% of areas with mud houses have submerged. A total of 326 large and 1,500 small villages, 171 primary schools, 43 middle schools, 125 police check posts, and 26 police stations have been inundated in the 17 districts of Sindh.
The flood affected in Sindh Province have not yet received emergency assistance from Government or NGOs.
Financial resources are urgently required to mitigate the sufferings of the people in the flood hit areas.
ACT member Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan (CWS-P/A) plans to assist 1,000 flood affected families with shelter kits and food items and would further support the rehabilitation process of 500 families with provision of reconstruction materials and livelihood kits. This will be a six months project. Total estimated cost will be USD 450,000. The security situation in the affected areas is normal/under control and access to the areas is possible.
CWS-P/A is maintaining regular co-ordination with its local partners in Sindh about the flood situation and its impact on communities. CWS-P/A is also co-ordinating with other national and international NGOs in the affected areas and with Pak-Humanitarian Forum.
Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org).
For further information please contact:
ACT Director, White Rakuba (phone +41 22 791 6033 or mobile phone + 41 79 203 6055) or
ACT Program Officer, Mieke Weeda (phone +41 22 791 6035 or mobile phone +41 79 285 2916)
ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide.
The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.
ACT Web Site address: http://www.act-intl.org