Aid reaches Pakistan, challenges lie ahead
World Vision is reaching families affected by the devastating floods in north-west Pakistan, with essential supplies.
On Tuesday, relief workers reached more than 7,000 people with food and water in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa district, one of the worst-affected areas.
The organisation is increasing aid distributions in the coming days, delivering shelter and other basic, essential items including cooking utensils and hygiene kits.
Access
The relief effort is being severely hampered by continuing rainfall and difficulties with access. Roads and bridges are blocked by standing water or have been washed away, leaving entire communities stranded.
World Vision’s Shaharyar Bangash, who has spent several days in the flood zone, described the situation: “The people don’t need just one thing, they need literally everything. The number of people in need is massive.”
Disease
Unprecedented monsoon rains, which began six days ago, have triggered flash floods across large swathes of the country, killing at least 1,100 people and affecting more than 2.5 million.
Thousands of mud homes have been washed away, and a vast clean-up operation is required before families can return to those left standing.
World Vision is worried that waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera will spread among the homeless. Rising numbers of children are already reported to be suffering from skin diseases and eye infections.
Recovery
While immediate support to the most vulnerable people is the priority, Bangash outlined the concerns for long-term recovery in flood-affected areas: “Not only are the crops for this year destroyed, but since all irrigation canals and systems are gone or filled with mud, the next crop is at risk, too.”
World Vision Ireland is appealing to the Irish public to donate money to the relief effort in Pakistan.