FOCUS deploys full-scale relief effort to assist thousands of flood victims in Pakistan

FOCUS deploys full-scale relief effort to assist thousands of flood victims in Pakistan

Also see the photo gallery as well as FOCUS press release at akdn.org.
Copyright: Focus Humanitarian Assistance

Islamabad, Pakistan, 12 August 2010 — Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) Pakistan has launched a relief effort to assist the thousands of people displaced by the recent floods in the Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral regions of northern Pakistan.

Flooding of the Indus River and its tributaries due to torrential rains has caused widespread destruction in several provinces of Pakistan. The United Nations has reported that to date, an estimated 14 million people have been affected and 6 – 7 million people are in dire need of food aid, clean water and shelter. Over 1 400 lives have been lost, more than 1 600 injured and 2 – 3 million people displaced due to the various rain-related hazards including landslides, floods, mudflows and structural collapse. Continued rains in upper parts of the country will result in more floods that are likely to swell the number of those affected.

Over 20 000 people were displaced in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral due to the complete or partial destruction of their homes. Crop fields, orchards, trees, cattle sheds and other sources of livelihoods have also been heavily damaged or destroyed.
FOCUS Pakistan delivering relief items to displaced people in Hundur village of the Yasin valley in Gilgit-Baltistan. Photo: Courtesy of FOCUS
FOCUS Pakistan delivering relief items to displaced people in Hundur village of the Yasin valley in Gilgit-Baltistan. Photo: Courtesy of FOCUS

“It has been extremely difficult to reach these vulnerable communities,” said Khadija Shaban, Chairperson, FOCUS Pakistan. “Almost all infrastructure has been destroyed by the flood and relief activities are hindered,” she added.

Working closely with local community organisations, FOCUS has mobilised its Search and Rescue Team and Community Emergency Response Teams to respond to the situation. With its trained personnel and hundreds of volunteers, FOCUS has supplied food items comprising flour, rice, cooking oil, sugar and tea to the hundreds of families left destitute by the heavy monsoon rains.

In addition, non-food items such as tents, tarpaulins and blankets are being supplied to displaced families in Ghizar and Chitral. While most of those displaced are now living with host families, hundreds are staying in tents provided by the government, FOCUS and other organisations.
Homes were inundated by to flooding from the mountains after heavy rains fell in the region. Photo: Courtesy of FOCUS
Homes were inundated by to flooding from the mountains after heavy rains fell in the region. Photo: Courtesy of FOCUS

So far, FOCUS assistance has reached over 900 destitute households through its emergency intervention. The agency is in the process of transporting 200 tonnes of relief goods — including food — to support 12 000 affected by floods in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority.

» For complete details, see the FOCUS press release at akdn.org.