World Vision begins aid deliveries in Pakistan

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

World Vision has begun delivering aid to families devastated by the Pakistan flooding, but warned that aid agencies will face enormous challenges as the relief response expands. 

More than 1,000 families and 365 children in one of the worst affected districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province received food and clean water from World Vision today, with additional distributions of cooking utensils and hygiene kits occurring over the coming days. 

The floods have killed more than 1,200 people and affected a further 2.5 million people, mostly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces. 

Conny Lenneberg, Director of Policy and Programs at World Vision Australia, warned that despite the successful aid deliveries today, a larger-scale response will require patience. 

"Some families have begun receiving much-needed food and water, but scale of the flooding is immense. Roads have been washed away, and there is no communication. Those houses still standing are uninhabitable - they are full of mud. Heavy machinery is needed for a major cleanup operation," said Ms Lenneberg. 

"We are very concerned about the spread of disease, particularly among children. Diarrhoea, skin diseases and other water-borne diseases can quickly take a huge toll in these conditions," she said. 

Ms Lenneberg said the relief effort was being hampered by ongoing rainfall, destroyed and damaged infrastructure, lack of boats to reach the most vulnerable, and mud and debris. 

"We are also concerned about long-term food security, due to crops and livestock destroyed this year. With irrigation canals destroyed or damaged, next year’s crop is at risk too." 

Aid agencies are also concerned that the Sindh province will soon be affected, as water flows south toward the Arabian Sea. 

World Vision has launched an appeal. Donations can be made by calling 13 32 40 or online at www.worldvision.com.au 

“World Vision has 155 staff in Pakistan, and we have been responding to emergencies there since 1992, so we’re well placed to respond,” said Ms Lenneberg. 

Conny Lenneberg is available for interview. Please contact Dominic McInerney on 0428 584 809.

Media Releases, Emergencies, Climate change, Poverty, Middle East, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Disaster relief, Flood, Foreign Aid, Pakistan

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