World Vision sends more Aussie staff to reinforce Pakistan floods response

World Vision Australia has deployed two more specialists to reinforce its Pakistan flood response. 

Australian staff members Claire Beck and Andrew Jalanski will depart for Pakistan on Friday morning. Ms Beck specialises in primary health, hygiene education and nutrition, while Mr Jalanski is an expert in water and sanitation. 

“There is a real danger from water-borne diseases like diarrhoea, skin allergies and cholera,” said Mr Jalanski. “We need to work quickly with our local staff and flood affected communities to re-establish water sources, provide toilets and emergency water purification options.” 

Ms Beck said infants and pregnant and lactating mothers were the most vulnerable during any disaster. 

“The health risks due to contaminated water mean we must support carers to ensure that children have clean and nutritious food. We must also support women to continue to breastfeed in situations where there is limited privacy and cramped living conditions,” she said. 

Ms Beck said that while nutrition wasn’t the first problem to come to mind after floods, the large-scale devastation of crops and livestock would present food security problems for flood survivors. 

“The entire country’s food supplies have been wiped out. 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,” said Ms Beck. 

“The destroyed crops rob subsistence farmers of a direct food source. In addition, food prices have been driven up, further jeopardising hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis who were already struggling to afford food. So there will be both short-term and longer-term issues to work through.” 

Mr Jalanski said he was confident that World Vision could make a difference for those who survived the floods. 

“World Vision has 55 staff in Pakistan, and that number is increasing daily. Local staff have been responding to emergencies in Pakistan since 1992, so we’re well placed to meet the great needs there,” he said. 

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

Thursday 19th August is World Humanitarian day, which celebrates the efforts of aid workers who help millions of people affected every year by natural and man-made disasters. 

Claire Beck and Andrew Jalanski are available for interview. 

Please contact Dominic McInerney on 0428 584 809.